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blastema

noun
blas·​te·​ma | \ bla-ˈstē-mə How to pronounce blastema (audio) \
plural blastemas or blastemata\ bla-​ˈstē-​mə-​tə How to pronounce blastemata (audio) \

Definition of blastema

: a mass of undifferentiated cells capable of growth and differentiation
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Other Words from blastema

blastemal \ bla-​ˈstē-​məl How to pronounce blastemal (audio) \ or blastematic \ ˌbla-​stə-​ˈma-​tik How to pronounce blastematic (audio) \ adjective

Examples of blastema in a Sentence

Recent Examples on 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.

First Known Use of blastema

circa 1823, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for 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

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Time Traveler for blastema

The first known use of blastema was circa 1823

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More Definitions for blastema

blastema

noun
blas·​te·​ma | \ bla-ˈstē-mə How to pronounce blastema (audio) \
plural blastemas also blastemata\ -​mət-​ə How to pronounce blastemata (audio) \

Medical Definition of blastema

: a mass of living substance capable of growth and differentiation

Other Words from blastema

blastematic \ ˌblas-​tə-​ˈmat-​ik How to pronounce blastematic (audio) \ or blastemic \ bla-​ˈstē-​mik How to pronounce blastemic (audio) , -​ˈstem-​ik How to pronounce blastemic (audio) \ adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on blastema

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about blastema

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