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polyspermy

American  
[pol-ee-spur-mee] / ˈpɒl iˌspɜr mi /

noun

  1. the fertilization of an ovum by several spermatozoa.


Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of polyspermy

First recorded in 1885–90; see origin at polyspermia, -y 3

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

"This prevents polyspermy -- the fusion of multiple sperm with a single egg -- which is a fatal condition for the embryo."

From Science Daily Mar. 14, 2024

If this mechanism fails, multiple sperm can fuse with the egg, resulting in polyspermy.

From Textbooks Jun. 9, 2022

When the first sperm fuses with the oocyte, the oocyte deploys two mechanisms to prevent polyspermy, which is penetration by more than one sperm.

From Textbooks Jun. 19, 2013

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