appressorium

[ap-re-sawr-ee-uh m, -sohr-]

noun, plural ap·pres·so·ri·a

[ap-re-sawr-ee-uh, -sohr-] /ˌæp rɛˈsɔr i ə, -ˈsoʊr-/. Mycology.

a flattened and thickened tip of a hyphal branch, formed by some parasitic fungi, that facilitates penetration of the host plant.

Origin of appressorium

1895–1900; < New Latin, equivalent to Latin appress(us) (see appressed) + -ōrium (see -tory²)

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

British Dictionary definitions for appressorium

appressorium

noun plural -ria (-rɪə)

botany a flattened hypha of a parasitic fungus that penetrates the host tissues

Word Origin for appressorium

from New Latin, from Latin appressus; see appressed

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