haustorium
[ haw-stawr-ee-uhm, -stohr- ]
/ hɔˈstɔr i əm, -ˈstoʊr- /
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noun, plural haus·to·ri·a [haw-stawr-ee-uh, -stohr-]. /hɔˈstɔr i ə, -ˈstoʊr-/.
a projection from the hypha of a fungus into the organic matter from which it absorbs nutrients.
the penetrating feeding organ of certain parasites.
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Origin of haustorium
1870–75; <New Latin, equivalent to Latin haus- (variant stem of haurīre to draw, scoop up) + -tōrium-tory2
OTHER WORDS FROM haustorium
haus·to·ri·al, adjectiveDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
British Dictionary definitions for haustorium
haustorium
/ (hɔːˈstɔːrɪəm) /
noun plural -ria (-rɪə)
the organ of a parasitic plant that penetrates the host tissues and absorbs food and water from them
Derived forms of haustorium
haustorial, adjectiveWord Origin for haustorium
C19: from New Latin, from Late Latin haustor a water-drawer; see haustellum
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Scientific definitions for haustorium
haustorium
[ hô-stôr′ē-əm ]
Plural haustoria
A specialized absorbing structure of a parasitic fungus or plant, such as the rootlike outgrowth of the dodder, that obtains food from a host plant. In parasitic fungi, haustoria are specialized hyphae that penetrate the cells of other organisms and absorb nutrients directly from them.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
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