gemma

[ jem-uh ]

noun

, plural gem·mae [jem, -ee].

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 ( def 2 ).

gemma

/ ˈdʒɛmə; dʒɛˈmeɪʃəs /

noun

1. a small asexual reproductive structure in liverworts, mosses, etc, that becomes detached from the parent and develops into a new individual
2. See gemmule
   zoology another name for gemmule

gemma

/ jĕm′ə /

, Plural gemmae jĕm′ē′

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.

Derived Forms

• gemmaceous, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of gemma¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of gemma¹

C18: from Latin: bud, gem

Example Sentences

One day, he turned up with Gemma, whom he'd gotten from the pound.

From The Daily Beast

On the other side were Clay Morrow and his wife, Gemma Teller, a couple for whom love has long been synonymous with doom.

From The Daily Beast

Gemma has moved on with Nero, a pimp played by Jimmy Smits who calls himself “a companionator.”

From The Daily Beast

The landowner and racehorse breeder and his artist wife, Gemma, are close friends of the Middleton family.

From The Daily Beast

Gemma Hardy is the orphaned daughter of a Scottish woman and an Icelandic fisherman.

From The Daily Beast

Gemma thinks she will be ugly, with great teeth and a red face like the Englishwomen in the Asino, but I do not believe it.

From Project Gutenberg

Orazio Lucis first saw Gemma like that, and he followed us home, and then found out who we were and asked questions about us.

From Project Gutenberg

The young man contrived to remain behind in the salotto for a moment and to keep Gemma with him.

From Project Gutenberg

It was always so easy to make Gemma angry, and lately she had been more capricious and difficult than ever.

From Project Gutenberg

Olive was out giving a lesson when it came, and Gemma turned it over, examining the post-mark and the writing.

From Project Gutenberg