megaspore

[ meg-uh-spawr, -spohr ]

noun

, Botany.

1. the larger of the two kinds of spores characteristically produced by seed plants and a few fern allies, developing into a female gametophyte. Compare microspore.
2. the embryo sac of a flowering plant.

megaspore

/ ˈmɛɡəˌspɔː /

noun

1. Also calledmacrospore the larger of the two types of spore produced by some spore-bearing plants, which develops into the female gametophyte Compare microspore
2. the cell in flowering plants that gives rise to the embryo sac

megaspore

/ mĕg′ə-spôr /

1. One of the two types of haploid spores produced by a heterosporous plant. Megaspores develop into female gametophytes and are usually larger than microspores.

Derived Forms

• ˌmegaˈsporic, adjective

Other Words From

• meg·a·spor·ic [meg-, uh, -, spawr, -ik, -, spor, -], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of megaspore¹

First recorded in 1885–90; mega- + spore

Example Sentences

In Welwitschia also the megaspore is filled with prothallus-tissue, but single egg-cells take the place of archegonia.

From Project Gutenberg