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exospore

American  
[ek-suh-spawr, -spohr] / ˈɛk səˌspɔr, -ˌspoʊr /

noun

Botany, Mycology.
  1. the outer coat of a spore.


exospore British  
/ ˈɛksəʊˌspɔː /

noun

  1. the outer layer of the spores of some algae and fungi

"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

Other Word Forms

  • exosporal adjective
  • exosporous adjective

Etymology

Origin of exospore

First recorded in 1855–60; exo- + spore

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

With free spores Exospore�     b.

From Project Gutenberg

Some mycologists are of opinion that the covering of the spore is double, consisting of an exospore and an endospore, the latter being very fine and delicate.

From Project Gutenberg

The exospore is sometimes roughened, with more or less projecting warts, as may be seen in Russula, which much resembles Lactarius in this as in some other particulars.

From Project Gutenberg

Sometimes the exospore is ruptured and detached loosely from the germinating spore.

From Project Gutenberg

The mature pollen-grain is, like other spores, a single cell; except in the case of some submerged aquatic plants, it has a double wall, a thin delicate wall of unaltered cellulose, the endospore or intine, and a tough outer cuticularized exospore or extine.

From Project Gutenberg