ostiole

[ os-tee-ohl ]

noun

1. Biology. a small opening or pore, especially in the fruiting body of a fungus.

ostiole

/ ˈɒstɪələ; ˈɒstɪˌəʊl /

noun

1. the pore in the reproductive bodies of certain algae and fungi through which spores pass
2. any small pore

Derived Forms

• ostiolar, adjective

Other Words From

• os·ti·o·lar [os, -tee-, uh, -ler, o-, stahy, -], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ostiole¹

1825–35; < Latin ōstiolum little door, equivalent to ōsti ( um ) door ( ostium ) + -olum -ole ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of ostiole¹

C19: from Latin ostiolum, diminutive of ostium door

Example Sentences

Ostiole: in Heteroptera, the openings at the sides of meso- and meta- thorax, through which an odoriferous fluid is excreted.

From Project Gutenberg