ostiole

American  

[os-tee-ohl] / ˈɒs tiˌoʊl /

noun

1. Biology. a small opening or pore, especially in the fruiting body of a fungus.

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ostiole British  

/ ˈɒstɪələ, ˈɒstɪˌəʊl /

noun

1. the pore in the reproductive bodies of certain algae and fungi through which spores pass

2. any small pore

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Other Word Forms

• ostiolar adjective

Etymology

Origin of ostiole

1825–35; < Latin ōstiolum little door, equivalent to ōsti ( um ) door ( ostium ) + -olum -ole ¹

Example Sentences

The tegument of these pseudospores, above all in those which have germinated, and have consequently become more transparent, it is easy to see has many pores, or round ostioles.

From Project Gutenberg

He records that in Hypoxylon macromphalum the ostioles are prominent, and in a close examination of my photograph, I do note minute points on the disc that are absent from Camillea cyclops.

From Project Gutenberg