spore Hear it!

spore definition

spore (spôr, spōr)

noun

  1. Biol. any of various small reproductive bodies, usually consisting of a single cell, produced by bacteria, algae, mosses, ferns, certain protozoans, etc., either asexually (asexual spore) or by the union of gametes (sexual spore): they are capable of giving rise to a new adult individual, either immediately or after an interval of dormancy
  2. any small organism or cell that can develop into a new individual; seed, germ, etc.

Etymology: ModL spora < Gr, a sowing, seed, akin to speirein, to sow < IE base *(s)p(h)er-, to strew, sow > spread, sprout

intransitive verb spored, sporing spor′·ing

to bear or develop spores

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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