blastema

noun blas·te·ma \ bla-ˈstē-mə \

|Updated on: 12 Jun 2018

Definition of blastema

plural blastemas or blastemata play \-mə-tə\

: a mass of undifferentiated cells capable of growth and differentiation

—

blastemal

play \-məl\ or blastematic play \ˌblas-tə-ˈma-tik\ adjective

Recent Examples of blastema from the Web

The first phase of the Pentagon’s plan to regrow soldiers’ limbs is complete; scientists managed to turn human skin into the equivalent of a blastema — a mass of undifferentiated cells that can develop into new body parts.

— noah shachtman, WIRED, "Pentagon Plan to Regrow Limbs: Phase One, Complete," 25 Mar. 2009

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

Origin and Etymology of blastema

borrowed from Greek blástēma "shoot, offshoot," from blastē-, variant stem of blastánein, aorist blasteîn "to bud, sprout, grow" + -ma, resultative noun suffix — more at -blast

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1823

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year