spermatophore

American  

[spur-mat-uh-fawr, -fohr, spur-muh-tuh-] / spɜrˈmæt əˌfɔr, -ˌfoʊr, ˈspɜr mə tə- /

noun

Zoology.

1. a capsule surrounding a mass of spermatozoa, produced by the male of various animal species and transferred to the female.

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spermatophore British  

/ ˈspɜːmətəʊˌfɔː, ˌspɜːməˈtɒfərəl /

noun

1. a capsule of spermatozoa extruded by some molluscs, crustaceans, annelids, and amphibians

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spermatophore Scientific  

/ spər-măt′ə-fôr′ /

1. A capsule or compact mass of spermatozoa extruded by the males of certain invertebrates and primitive vertebrates and directly transferred to the reproductive parts of the female.

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Other Word Forms

• spermatophoral adjective
• spermatophorous adjective

Etymology

Origin of spermatophore

First recorded in 1840–50; spermato- + -phore

Example Sentences

In contrast, the Polish species Leptophyes albovittata produced a spermatophore ten times smaller and mated after just 24 seconds.

From BBC • Feb. 14, 2012

When the spermatophore is expelled into the water the connective is extended and evaginated, and the sac containing the sperms bursts.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 5, Slice 6 "Celtes, Konrad" to "Ceramics" by Various

The spermiduct is provided with a glandular pouch, and opens into a terminal reservoir known as Needham’s sac or the spermatophore sac.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 5, Slice 6 "Celtes, Konrad" to "Ceramics" by Various

When pairing takes place the female fertilizes herself by taking up a spermatophore which a male has left upon a sheet of web for that purpose.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 5, Slice 6 "Celtes, Konrad" to "Ceramics" by Various

The function of this pouch is to form the spermatophore, which is an elastic tube formed of structureless secretion and invaginated into itself.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 5, Slice 6 "Celtes, Konrad" to "Ceramics" by Various