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

Anther, an′thėr, n. the top of the stamen in a flower which contains the pollen or fertilising dust.

From Project Gutenberg

An′theral; Antherif′erous, bearing anthers; Anth′eroid, resembling an anther.

From Project Gutenberg

The portion of a stamen which connects the two cells of the anther.

From Project Gutenberg

But to do this, the curiously projecting and fleshy summits of anther-cases must at some time be pushed back slightly.

From Project Gutenberg

Remember, pollen-tubes protrude within anther in Neottia nidus-avis.

From Project Gutenberg