spermatozoid
Americannoun
noun
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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.
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Also called antherozoid
Etymology
Origin of spermatozoid
First recorded in 1855–60; spermatozo(on) + -id 1
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.
J, a small portion of one of these more magnified, showing a spermatozoid in each cell.
From Elements of Structural and Systematic Botany For High Schools and Elementary College Courses by Campbell, Douglas Houghton
The egg and the spermatozoid both consist of protoplasm containing a nucleus.
From The Sexual Question A Scientific, psychological, hygienic and sociological study by Forel, Auguste
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
And even from the protoplasm of the egg without its nucleus, with the aid of a spermatozoid.
From The Sexual Question A Scientific, psychological, hygienic and sociological study by Forel, Auguste
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
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
