gemma

American  

[jem-uh] / ˈdʒɛm ə /

noun

gemmae plural

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 /

gemmae plural

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

Derived Forms

• gemmaceous
  adjective

Inflected Forms

noun

• gemmae
  plural

Etymology

Origin of gemma

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

Example Sentences

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

It begins gracefully enough: O gemma leziosa, Adorna villanella, Che se' più virtudiosa Che non se ne favella, Per la virtude ch' hai Per grazia del Signore, Aiutami, che sai Che son tuo servo, amore.

From Pastoral Poetry and Pastoral Drama A Literary Inquiry, with Special Reference to the Pre-Restoration Stage in England by Greg, Walter W.

Left: Vorticella microstoma, showing alimentary tube, ciliated mouth, and formation of a gemma at the base, 300 linear.—Stein.

From Marvels of Pond-life A Year's Microscopic Recreations by Slack, Henry J.

Ornat gutta genas, oculisque simillima gemma: Et tepido vivas irrigat imbre rosas.

From Poems of Henry Vaughan, Silurist, Volume II by Chambers, E. K. (Edmund Kerchever)

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

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