gemma

American  

[jem-uh] / ˈdʒɛm ə /

noun

plural

gemmae

1. a bud.

2. Botany. a cell or cluster of cells, or a leaflike or budlike body, that separates from the parent plant to form a new organism, as in mosses and liverworts.

3. Zoology. gemmule.

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gemma British  

/ dʒɛˈmeɪʃəs, ˈdʒɛmə /

noun

1. a small asexual reproductive structure in liverworts, mosses, etc, that becomes detached from the parent and develops into a new individual

2. zoology another name for gemmule

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gemma Scientific  

/ jĕm′ə /

plural

gemmae

1. A budlike mass of undifferentiated tissue which serves as a means of vegetative reproduction among mosses and liverworts. The gemmae, often formed in structures called gemma cups, are usually dispersed from the parent plant by the splashing of raindrops, after which they develop into new individuals.

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Other Word Forms

• gemmaceous adjective

Etymology

Origin of gemma

First recorded in 1760–70; from Latin: “bud, jewel”; see gem

Example Sentences

Gutta quidem sacros quaecunque perambulat artus, Dum manet hic, gemma est; dum cadit hinc, lacryma.

From The Complete Works of Richard Crashaw, Volume II (of 2) by Crashaw, Richard

Complicated contrapuntal pieces, such as we should call madrigals, with ever-recurring refrains of 'Venezia, gemma Triatica, sposa del mar,' descending probably from ancient days, followed each other in quick succession.

From Sketches and Studies in Italy and Greece, First Series by Brown, Horatio Robert Forbes

"Plurima gemma latet cæca tellure sepulta, Plurima neglecto fragrat odore rosa."

From Notes and Queries, Number 39, July 27, 1850 by Various

Cele est bele Aeliz de qua sic dicitur: Speciosa ut gemma splendida ut luna et clara ut sol, rutilans quasi Lucifer inter sidera, etc....

From Women of Mediæval France Woman: in all ages and in all countries Vol. 5 (of 10) by Butler, Pierce

Propā′go, a layer or branch laid down to root; Propag′ūlum, a runner or sucker ending in an expanded bud: a gemma or bud affecting asexual propagation in many alg�.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 3 of 4: N-R) by Various