[kʌɪˈazmə], (Noun)

Definitions:
- the X-shaped structure formed at the point below the brain where the two optic nerves cross over each other

- a point at which paired chromosomes remain in contact during the first metaphase of meiosis, and at which crossing over and exchange of genetic material occur between the strands


Phrases:

Origin:
mid 19th century: modern Latin, from Greek chiasma ‘crosspiece, cross-shaped mark’, from khiazein ‘mark with the letter chi’