spermatozoid

American  

[spur-muh-tuh-zoh-id, spur-mat-uh-] / ˌspɜr mə təˈzoʊ ɪd, spɜrˌmæt ə- /

noun

Botany, Mycology.

1. a motile male gamete produced in an antheridium.

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spermatozoid British  

/ ˌspɜːmətəʊˈzəʊɪd /

noun

1. botany another name for antherozoid

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spermatozoid Scientific  

/ 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

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Etymology

Origin of spermatozoid

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

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

spermatozoid

The former divides repeatedly, until a mass of about thirty-two sperm cells is formed, each giving rise to a large spirally-coiled spermatozoid.

From Elements of Structural and Systematic Botany For High Schools and Elementary College Courses by Campbell, Douglas Houghton

At the same time a nuclear liquid arising from the protoplasm of the egg becomes concentrated around the chromatin of the spermatozoid, while the nucleus of the egg remains in place and does not change.

From The Sexual Question A Scientific, psychological, hygienic and sociological study by Forel, Auguste

Each spermatozoid contains all the energies of the paternal and maternal ancestry of man, and each egg those of the paternal and maternal ancestry of woman.

From The Sexual Question A Scientific, psychological, hygienic and sociological study by Forel, Auguste

The spermatozoid swims by means of its tail to meet the egg.

From The Sexual Question A Scientific, psychological, hygienic and sociological study by Forel, Auguste

Fertilization is effected by the passage of a spermatozoid, attracted probably by means of a chemical stimulus, down the passage of the archegonial neck and its fusion with the ovum.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Part 3 "Brescia" to "Bulgaria" by Various