gymnospore

[ jim-nuh-spawr, -spohr ]

noun

, Botany.

1. a naked spore, especially one not produced in a sporangium or one lacking a protective envelope.

Other Words From

• gym·no·spo·rous [jim-n, uh, -, spawr, -, uh, s, -, spohr, -, jim-, nos, -per-, uh, s], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of gymnospore¹

First recorded in 1880–85; gymno- + -spore