tissue

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tis·sue / ˈtishoō/ • n. 1. any of the distinct types of material of which animals or plants are made, consisting of specialized cells and their products: inflammation is a reaction of living tissue to infection or injury| (tissues) the organs and tissues of the body.2. tissue paper. ∎  a disposable piece of absorbent paper, used esp. as a handkerchief or for cleaning the skin. ∎  rich or fine material of a delicate or gauzy texture: [as adj.] the blue and silver tissue sari. 3. [in sing.] an intricate structure or network made from a number of connected items: such scandalous stories are a tissue of lies.DERIVATIVES: tis·su·ey adj. (in sense 2).

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