antheridium

[ an-thuh-rid-ee-uhm ]

noun,plural an·ther·id·i·a [an-thuh-rid-ee-uh]. /ˌæn θəˈrɪd i ə/. Botany, Mycology.
  1. a male reproductive structure producing gametes, occurring in ferns, mosses, fungi, and algae.

Origin of antheridium

1
From New Latin, dating back to 1850–55; see origin at anther, -idium

Other words from antheridium

  • an·ther·id·i·al, adjective

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How to use antheridium in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for antheridium

antheridium

/ (ˌænθəˈrɪdɪəm) /


nounplural -ia (-ɪə)
  1. the male sex organ of algae, fungi, bryophytes, and spore-bearing vascular plants, such as ferns, which produces antherozoids

Origin of antheridium

1
C19: from New Latin, diminutive of anthēra anther

Derived forms of antheridium

  • antheridial, adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for antheridium

antheridium

[ ăn′thə-rĭdē-əm ]


Plural antheridia (ăn′thə-rĭdē-ə)
  1. An organ in certain organisms that produces male gametes. Antheridia are found in many groups of organisms, including the bryophytes, ferns, ascomycete fungi, and some algae. Most gymnosperms and all angiosperms, however, have lost the antheridium, and its role is filled by the pollen grain. Compare archegonium.

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