spermatophore

[ spur-mat-uh-fawr, -fohr, spur-muh-tuh- ]

noun

, Zoology.

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

spermatophore

/ ˈspɜːmətəʊˌfɔː; ˌspɜːməˈtɒfərəl /

noun

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

spermatophore

/ 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.

Derived Forms

• spermatophoral, adjective

Other Words From

• sper·ma·toph·or·al [spur-m, uh, -, tof, -er-, uh, l], sper·ma·toph·o·rous [spur-m, uh, -, tof, -er-, uh, s], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of spermatophore¹

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