paraphysis

[ puh-raf-uh-sis ]

noun

, Botany, Mycology.

, plural pa·raph·y·ses [p, uh, -, raf, -, uh, -seez].

1. one of the erect, sterile filaments often growing among the reproductive organs in many fungi, mosses, and ferns.

paraphysis

/ pəˈræfɪsɪs /

noun

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

paraphysis

/ pə-răf′ĭ-sĭs /

, Plural paraphyses pə-răf′ĭ-sēz′

1. One of the erect sterile filaments often occurring among the reproductive organs of certain fungi, algae, and mosses.

Derived Forms

• paˈraphysate, adjective

Other Words From

• pa·raph·y·sate [p, uh, -, raf, -, uh, -sit], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of paraphysis¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of paraphysis¹

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

Example Sentences

Paraphysis, pa-raf′i-sis, n. an erect sterile filament accompanying the sexual organs of some cryptogamous plants:—pl.

From Project Gutenberg

The morphological significance of the paraphysis is uncertain.

From Project Gutenberg

Paraphysis: the chitinized thickenings or lateral ingrowths, usually situated at the base of the lobes in certain Diaspid genera.

From Project Gutenberg

One branched and one unbranched paraphysis of Buellia parasema.

From Project Gutenberg

The Paraphysis is a projection from the roof of the primitive fore-brain near its anterior end.

From Project Gutenberg