antheridium

[ an-thuh-rid-ee-uh m ]
/ ˌæn θəˈrɪd i əm /

noun, plural an·ther·id·i·a [an-thuh-rid-ee-uh] /ˌæn θəˈrɪd i ə/. Botany, Mycology.

a male reproductive structure producing gametes, occurring in ferns, mosses, fungi, and algae.

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Origin of antheridium

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

OTHER WORDS FROM antheridium

an·ther·id·i·al, adjective

Words nearby antheridium

anthema, anthemion, anthemius of tralles, anther, antheridiophore, antheridium, antherozoid, anthesis, anthesteria, anthill, antho-
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for antheridium

British Dictionary definitions for antheridium

antheridium
/ (ˌænθəˈrɪdɪəm) /

noun plural -ia (-ɪə)

the male sex organ of algae, fungi, bryophytes, and spore-bearing vascular plants, such as ferns, which produces antherozoids

Derived forms of antheridium

antheridial, adjective

Word Origin for antheridium

C19: from New Latin, diminutive of anthēra anther
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-rĭd′ē-əm ]

Plural antheridia (ăn′thə-rĭd′ē-ə)

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.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.