spermatium

(spər mās̸hē əm)

noun pl. spermatia

  1. a nonmotile male sex cell in red algae
  2. a very small, nonmotile male gamete, found in some lichens and fungi

Origin: ModL < Gr spermation, dim. of sperma, a seed: see sperm

See spermatium in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun pl. sper·ma·ti·a (-shē-ə, -shə)
A nonmotile cell in red algae and certain lichens and fungi that functions as a male gamete.

Origin:

Origin: New Latin

Origin: , from Greek spermation

Origin: , diminutive of sperma, spermat-, semen; see sperm 1

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Related Forms:

  • sper·maˈtial (-shəl) adjective

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