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stoma

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(stō′mə)

noun pl. stomata or stomas

Bot. a microscopic opening in the epidermis of plants, surrounded by guard cells and serving for gaseous exchange
Zool. a mouth or mouthlike opening; esp., an ingestive opening in lower invertebrates

Origin: ModL < Gr, mouth < IE *stomen, mouth > Avestan staman-, (dog's) mouth

See stoma in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun pl. sto·ma·ta (-mə-tə) or sto·mas

Botany One of the minute pores in the epidermis of a leaf or stem through which gases and water vapor pass. Also called stomate.
Anatomy A small aperture in the surface of a membrane.
A surgically constructed opening, especially one in the abdominal wall that permits the passage of waste after a colostomy or ileostomy.
Zoology A mouthlike opening, such as the oral cavity of a nematode.

Origin:

Origin: New Latin

Origin: , from Greek, mouth

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Related Forms:

stoˈmal, stoˈma·tal adjective

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