archegonium

noun

ar·​che·​go·​ni·​um ˌär-ki-ˈgō-nē-əm How to pronounce archegonium (audio)
plural archegonia ˌär-ki-ˈgō-nē-ə How to pronounce archegonium (audio)
: the flask-shaped female sex organ of bryophytes, lower vascular plants (such as ferns), and some gymnosperms
archegonial adjective

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek archegonos originator, from archein to begin + gonos procreation; akin to Greek gignesthai to be born — more at arch-, kin

First Known Use

1854, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of archegonium was in 1854

Dictionary Entries Near archegonium

Cite this Entry

“Archegonium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/archegonium. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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