bi·ol·y·sis \bīˈäləsə̇s\noun (pluralbioly·ses \-əˌsēz\) Etymology: New Latin, from bi- (II) + -lysis 1.: death and the bodily disintegration that follows 2.: decomposition by living organisms of sewage and other complex materials • bi·o·lyt·ic\|bīə|lid.ik\adjective