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.
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 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
The nucleus of the spermatozoid, on the contrary, begins to grow rapidly.
From The Sexual Question A Scientific, psychological, hygienic and sociological study by Forel, Auguste
From that moment, the two procreating elements are present in the mother at one and the same time: the female element, the ovule; and the male element, the spermatozoid.
From Bramble-Bees and Others by Teixeira de Mattos, Alexander
By careful observation the student may possibly be able to follow the spermatozoid into the oögonium, where it enters the egg cell at the clear spot on its surface.
From Elements of Structural and Systematic Botany For High Schools and Elementary College Courses by Campbell, Douglas Houghton
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.
