haustorium

[ haw-stawr-ee-uhm, -stohr- ]

/ hɔˈstɔr i əm, -ˈstoʊr- /

Save This Word!

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.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

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, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

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, adjective

Word 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 Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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.