spermatozoid

[ spur-muh-tuh-zoh-id, spur-mat-uh- ]

noun

, Botany, Mycology.

1. a motile male gamete produced in an antheridium.

spermatozoid

/ ˌspɜːmətəʊˈzəʊɪd /

noun

1. botany another name for antherozoid

spermatozoid

/ spər-măt′ə-zō′ĭd /

1. A male reproductive cell produced in an antheridium, as in algae, fungi, and nonflowering plants. Each spermatozoid has cilia that propel it toward the archegonium.
2. Also called antherozoid

Word History and Origins

Origin of spermatozoid¹

First recorded in 1855–60; spermatozo(on) + -id ¹