paraphysis

[ puh-raf-uh-sis ]

noun

, Botany, Mycology.

, plural pa·raph·y·ses [p, uh, -, raf, -, uh, -seez].

1. one of the erect, sterile filaments often growing among the reproductive organs in many fungi, mosses, and ferns.

paraphysis

/ pəˈræfɪsɪs /

noun

1. any of numerous sterile cells occurring between the sex organs of mosses and algae and between the spore-producing bodies of basidiomycetous and ascomycetous fungi

paraphysis

/ pə-răf′ĭ-sĭs /

, Plural paraphyses pə-răf′ĭ-sēz′

1. One of the erect sterile filaments often occurring among the reproductive organs of certain fungi, algae, and mosses.

Derived Forms

• paˈraphysate, adjective

Other Words From

• pa·raph·y·sate [p, uh, -, raf, -, uh, -sit], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of paraphysis¹

1855–60; < New Latin < Greek paráphysis literally, a growing beside, by-growth, equivalent to para- para- ¹ + phýsis growth, nature; physic

Word History and Origins

Origin of paraphysis¹

C19: New Latin from Greek: subsidiary growth, from para- ¹+ phusis growth

Example Sentences

In some species, however, the paraphyses are rare, and the mucilaginous substance is entirely wanting.

From Project Gutenberg

Still further examination will show that this fructification consists of cylindrical asci, each enclosing eight elliptical sporidia, closely packed together, and mixed with slender threads called paraphyses.

From Project Gutenberg

These asci are generally intermixed with slender, empty asci, or sterile cells, called paraphyses.

From Project Gutenberg

The spore-bearing cells are basidia; the others are called paraphyses.

From Project Gutenberg

F, spore sacs and paraphyses of Usnea, × 300.

From Project Gutenberg