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anther

noun
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an·​ther | \ ˈan(t)-thər How to pronounce anther (audio) \

Definition of anther

: the part of a stamen that produces and contains pollen and is usually borne on a stalk — see flower illustration
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Other Words from anther

antheral \ ˈan(t)-​thə-​rəl How to pronounce antheral (audio) \ adjective

Examples of anther in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web This transfers pollen from the male reproductive organs, called anthers, to the pistils, where pollination commences. — Matt Simon, WIRED, "This Robotic Pollinator Is Like a Huge Bee With Wheels and an Arm," 23 May 2018 Each flower displays deep purple petals and showy, bright yellow anthers. — Dave Taft, New York Times, "Bittersweet Nightshade: Look, but Don’t Taste," 27 July 2017 The pollen-bearing anthers extend beyond the mouth of the flower, and are usually purple while the pollen is light yellow. — Brian Kemble, The Mercury News, "Agave’s ferocious teeth don’t scare off gardeners," 8 June 2017 The anthers (the male parts of a flower) are a bluish purple and stand out prominently in the center of each flower. — Dave Taft, New York Times, "Dainty Invader: the Deptford Pink," 26 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'anther.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of anther

1783, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for anther

borrowed from New Latin anthēra, going back to Medieval Latin, "medication made from a flower, internal organs of a rose flower (used to make such medications)," going back to Latin, "medication made from a flower," borrowed from Greek anthērá, noun derivative from feminine of anthērós "of a flower, flowery, blooming," from anthe-, ánthos "flower" + -ēros, variant, before s-stems, of -ros, adjective suffix — more at antho-

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Time Traveler for anther

Time Traveler

The first known use of anther was in 1783

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Cite this Entry

“Anther.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anther. Accessed 10 Jul. 2020.

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More Definitions for anther

anther

noun
How to pronounce anther (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of anther

technical : the part of a flower that contains pollen

See the full definition for anther in the English Language Learners Dictionary

anther

noun
an·​ther | \ ˈan-thər How to pronounce anther (audio) \

Kids Definition of anther

: the enlargement at the tip of a flower's stamen that contains pollen

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More from Merriam-Webster on anther

Spanish Central: Translation of anther

Nglish: Translation of anther for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of anther for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about anther

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