oospore

[ oh-uh-spawr, -spohr ]

noun

, Biology.

1. a fertilized egg within an oogonium.

oospore

/ ˈəʊəˌspɔː /

noun

1. a thick-walled sexual spore that develops from a fertilized oosphere in some algae and fungi

oospore

/ ō′ə-spôr′ /

1. A fertilized female cell or zygote, especially one with thick chitinous walls, developed from a fertilized oosphere.

Derived Forms

• ˌooˈsporic, adjective

Other Words From

• o·o·spor·ic [oh-, uh, -, spawr, -ik, -, spor, -], o·os·por·ous [oh-, os, -per-, uh, s, oh-, uh, -, spawr, -, uh, s, -, spohr, -], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of oospore¹

First recorded in 1860–65; oo- + -spore

Example Sentences

Reproduction from an oospore formed by the combination of two sexual cells.

From Project Gutenberg

After the production of this oospore the parent filament gradually loses its vitality and slowly decays.

From Project Gutenberg

This oospore, or resting spore, may remain dormant in this state within the tissues of the foster plant for some months.

From Project Gutenberg

The oospore becomes an oosporangium, and from it at least a hundred germinating bodies are at length expelled.

From Project Gutenberg

The oospore on germination usually gives origin to a zoosporangium, but may form directly a germ tube which infects the host.

From Project Gutenberg