anther

[ an-ther ]

noun

, Botany.

1. the pollen-bearing part of a stamen.

anther

/ ˈænθə /

noun

1. the terminal part of a stamen consisting usually of two lobes each containing two sacs in which the pollen matures

anther

/ ăn′thər /

1. The pollen-bearing part at the upper end of the stamen of a flower. Most anthers occur at the tip of a slender, stemlike filament and have two lobes. Each lobe contains two pollen sacs. When pollen matures in the pollen sacs, the lobes of the anthers burst open in the process known as dehiscence to release the pollen.
2. See more at flower

Derived Forms

• ˈantheral, adjective

Other Words From

• anther·al adjective
• anther·less adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of anther¹

1545–55; < New Latin anthēra < Latin < Greek, feminine of anthērós flowery; anthesis

Word History and Origins

Origin of anther¹

C18: from New Latin anthēra, from Latin: a remedy prepared from flowers, from Greek, from anthēros flowery, from anthos flower

Example Sentences

About 1.4m people there are categorised as being on the verge of famine, with anther 3 million at the level below.

From BBC

This exposes the anthers, which contain the plant's pollen.

From Salon

The Coyotes did not have anther shot until Nick Schmaltz’s shot on a power play five minutes into the second.

From Washington Times

White tripetaled blooms with yellow anthers age through stages of rose to maroon, extending the show into early summer.

From Seattle Times

Ruslan sits down and adds anther two names to his notebook.

From BBC