basidium

[buh-sid-ee-uh m]

noun, plural ba·sid·i·a

[buh-sid-ee-uh] /bəˈsɪd i ə/. Mycology.

a special form of sporophore, characteristic of basidiomycetous fungi, on which the sexual spores are borne, usually at the tips of slender projections.

Origin of basidium

First recorded in 1855–60; bas(is) + -idium

Related formsba·sid·i·al, adjective

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

Examples from the Web for basidium

Historical Examples of basidium

Basidium, the characteristic spore-producing organ of the Basidiomycetes.
The New Gresham Encyclopedia. Vol. 1 Part 3
Various
They are characterized by their principal spores being produced externally, usually in fours, upon an organ called a basidium.
The New Gresham Encyclopedia. Vol. 1 Part 3
Various
Conidia (basidiospores) borne in fours on a special conidiophore, the basidium.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 11, Slice 3
Various
Life-history always very simple, no well-marked alternation of generations; basidium borne directly on the mycelium.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 11, Slice 3
Various
Between the nuclear association and the nuclear fusion in the basidium many thousands of cell generations may be intercalated.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 11, Slice 3
Various

British Dictionary definitions for basidium

basidium

noun plural -ia (-ɪə)

the structure, produced by basidiomycetous fungi after sexual reproduction, in which spores are formed at the tips of projecting slender stalks

Derived Formsbasidial, adjective

Word Origin for basidium

C19: from New Latin, from Greek basidion; see basis, -ium

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

basidium in Medicine

basidium

[bə-sĭd′ē-əm]

n. pl. ba•sid•i•a (-ē-ə)

A small club-shaped structure that typically bears four spores at the tips of minute projections, is unique to Basidiomycetes, and is used as a distinguishing characteristic.

basidium in Science

basidium

[bə-sĭd′ē-əm]

Plural basidia

A small, specialized, club-shaped structure typically bearing four basidiospores at the tips of minute projections in the fungi known as basidiomycetes. The basidium is unique to basidiomycetes and distinguishes them from other kinds of fungi.