antheridium

[ an-thuh-rid-ee-uhm ]

/ ˌæn θəˈrɪd i əm /

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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. 2023

How to use antheridium in a sentence

These particles become globose cells, grouped in the centre of the antheridium.
Fungi: Their Nature and Uses|Mordecai Cubitt Cooke
It is seldom that more than one antheridium applies itself to an oogonium.
Fungi: Their Nature and Uses|Mordecai Cubitt Cooke
It is remarkable that amongst these fungi the tube projected by the antheridium effects fecundation only by contact.
Fungi: Their Nature and Uses|Mordecai Cubitt Cooke
Oogonium with the central uninucleate oosphere and the fertilizing tube (a) of the antheridium which introduces the male nucleus.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 11, Slice 3|Various

One of the minute organs developed in an antheridium, corresponding to pollen-grains.
The Manual of the Botany of the Northern United States|Asa Gray

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.