nucellus

American  

[noo-sel-uhs, nyoo-] / nuˈsɛl əs, nju- /

noun

Botany.

nucelli plural

1. the central cellular mass of the body of the ovule, containing the embryo sac.

---

nucellus British  

/ njuːˈsɛləs /

noun

1. the central part of a plant ovule containing the embryo sac

---

nucellus Scientific  

/ no̅o̅-sĕl′əs /

nucelli plural

1. The megasporangium of a seed-bearing plant, located in the ovule. In angiosperms, it is the central portion of the ovule in which the embryo sac develops. In some cases of apomixis (production of seeds without fertilization), cells of the nucellus develop into an embryo.

---

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• nucellar
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• nucelli
  plural

Etymology

Origin of nucellus

1880–85; < New Latin, equivalent to Latin nuc- (stem of nux ) nut + -ella -elle

Example Sentences

As the endosperm increases in size along with the embryo-sac and the embryo, the substance of the original nucellus of the ovule is gradually absorbed.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 11, Slice 3 "Frost" to "Fyzabad" by Various

The hilum or base of the seed, and the chalaza or base of the nucellus are united by means of the raphe r.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 11, Slice 3 "Frost" to "Fyzabad" by Various

In a species of Allium, embryos have been found developing in the same individual from the egg-cell, synergids, antipodal cells and cells of the nucellus.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 2, Part 1, Slice 1 by Various

There are thus two integuments to the nucellus, an outer and an inner.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 10, Slice 5 "Fleury, Claude" to "Foraker" by Various

A young ovule consists of a conical nucellus surrounded by a single integument terminating as a two-lipped micropyle.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 12, Slice 7 "Gyantse" to "Hallel" by Various