sori

[ sawr-ahy, sohr-ahy ]

/ ˈsɔr aɪ, ˈsoʊr aɪ /

noun

plural of sorus.

Nearby words

Definition for sori (2 of 2)

sorus

[ sawr-uh s, sohr- ]

/ ˈsɔr əs, ˈsoʊr- /

noun, plural so·ri [sawr-ahy, sohr-ahy] /ˈsɔr aɪ, ˈsoʊr aɪ/.

Botany. one of the clusters of sporangia on the back of the fronds of ferns.

Mycology. a soruslike spore mass of certain fungi and lichens.

Origin of sorus

1825–35; < New Latin < Greek sōrós heap

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for sori

The sori are in the form of lines which branch out from the lower part of the pinnule in a fan-shaped manner.
How to Know the Ferns|S. Leonard Bastin
The pairs of sori are covered with pairs of indusia which, on the maturity of the sporangia, open out opposite to each other.
How to Know the Ferns|S. Leonard Bastin
Although at first sight this is not very apparent, the brown lines are composed of two sori which practically join together.
How to Know the Ferns|S. Leonard Bastin
As Waters remarks, "Most ferns hold the sori in the open hand, but the sensitive fern grasps them tightly in the clenched fist."
The Fern Lover's Companion|George Henry Tilton

Sori at the end of the veins at first small and roundish, but afterwards more or less confluent.
The Fern Lover's Companion|George Henry Tilton

British Dictionary definitions for sori (1 of 2)

sori

/ (ˈsɔːraɪ) /

noun

the plural of sorus

British Dictionary definitions for sori (2 of 2)

sorus

/ (ˈsɔːrəs) /

noun plural -ri (-raɪ)

a cluster of sporangia on the undersurface of certain fern leaves

any of various similar spore-producing structures in some lichens and fungi

Word Origin for sorus

C19: via New Latin from Greek sōros a heap

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

Science definitions for sori

sorus

[ sôr′əs ]

Plural sori (sôr′ī)

A cluster of sporangia borne on the underside of a fern frond. A sorus is sometimes covered by an indusium. Also called fruitdot

A reproductive structure consisting of masses of spores, characteristic of certain fungi such as rusts and smuts.