spermatophore

American  

[spur-mat-uh-fawr, -fohr, spur-muh-tuh-] / spɜrˈmæt əˌfɔr, -ˌfoʊr, ˈspɜr mə tə- /

noun

Zoology.

1. a capsule surrounding a mass of spermatozoa, produced by the male of various animal species and transferred to the female.

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spermatophore British  

/ ˈspɜːmətəʊˌfɔː, ˌspɜːməˈtɒfərəl /

noun

1. a capsule of spermatozoa extruded by some molluscs, crustaceans, annelids, and amphibians

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spermatophore Scientific  

/ spər-măt′ə-fôr′ /

1. A capsule or compact mass of spermatozoa extruded by the males of certain invertebrates and primitive vertebrates and directly transferred to the reproductive parts of the female.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• spermatophorous
  adjective
• spermatophoral
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of spermatophore

First recorded in 1840–50; spermato- + -phore