noun pl. stomata -·mata (-mə tə) or stomas -·mas

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

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