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