paraphysis

[ puh-raf-uh-sis ]

noun,plural pa·raph·y·ses [puh-raf-uh-seez]. /pəˈræf əˌsiz/. Botany, Mycology.
  1. one of the erect, sterile filaments often growing among the reproductive organs in many fungi, mosses, and ferns.

Origin of paraphysis

1
1855–60; <New Latin <Greek paráphysis literally, a growing beside, by-growth, equivalent to para-para-1 + phýsis growth, nature; see physic

Other words from paraphysis

  • pa·raph·y·sate [puh-raf-uh-sit], /pəˈræf ə sɪt/, adjective

Words Nearby paraphysis

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How to use paraphysis in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for paraphysis

paraphysis

/ (pəˈræfɪsɪs) /


nounplural -ses (-ˌsiːz)
  1. any of numerous sterile cells occurring between the sex organs of mosses and algae and between the spore-producing bodies of basidiomycetous and ascomycetous fungi

Origin of paraphysis

1
C19: New Latin from Greek: subsidiary growth, from para- 1 + phusis growth

Derived forms of paraphysis

  • paraphysate, adjective

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 paraphysis

paraphysis

[ pə-răfĭ-sĭs ]


Plural paraphyses (pə-răfĭ-sēz′)
  1. One of the erect sterile filaments often occurring among the reproductive organs of certain fungi, algae, and mosses.

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