gymnospermous

[ jim-nuh-spur-muhs ]

adjective

, Botany.

1. of or relating to a gymnosperm; having exposed or naked seeds.

Word History and Origins

Origin of gymnospermous¹

1720–30; < New Latin gymnospermus < Greek gymnóspermos. See gymno-, -spermous

Example Sentences

It is contained in a seed-vessel formed from the ovary in the plants called angiospermous; while in gymnospermous plants, such as Coniferae and Cycadaceae, it is naked, or, in other words, has no true pericarp.

From Project Gutenberg

It was not even, like that of the coal period, solely or mainly cryptogamous or gymnospermous.

From Project Gutenberg

Very similar would seem to have been the fate of a more familiar gymnospermous tree, the Gingko or Salisburia.

From Project Gutenberg

The general relation of the gymnospermous Seed-plants to the Higher Cryptogamia was cleared up, independently of fossil evidence, by the brilliant researches of Hofmeister, dating from the middle of the past century.

From Project Gutenberg

It remained uncertain, however, from which line of Cryptogams the gymnospermous Seed-plants had sprung.

From Project Gutenberg