cryptogam

[ krip-tuh-gam ]

nounBotany.
  1. any of the Cryptogamia, a former primary division of plants that have no true flowers or seeds and that reproduce by spores, as the ferns, mosses, fungi, and algae.

Origin of cryptogam

1
From the New Latin word Cryptogamia, dating back to 1840–50. See crypto-, -gamy

Other words from cryptogam

  • cryp·to·gam·ic, cryp·tog·a·mous [krip-tog-uh-muhs], /krɪpˈtɒg ə məs/, cryp·to·gam·i·cal, adjective
  • cryp·tog·a·mist, noun
  • cryp·tog·a·my, noun

Words Nearby cryptogam

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How to use cryptogam in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for cryptogam

cryptogam

/ (ˈkrɪptəʊˌɡæm) /


noun
  1. (in former plant classification schemes) any organism that does not produce seeds, including algae, fungi, mosses, and ferns: Compare phanerogam

Origin of cryptogam

1
C19: from New Latin Cryptogamia, from crypto- + Greek gamos marriage

Derived forms of cryptogam

  • cryptogamic or cryptogamous (krɪpˈtɒɡəməs), adjective

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