protonema

noun

pro·​to·​ne·​ma ˌprō-tə-ˈnē-mə How to pronounce protonema (audio)
plural protonemata ˌprō-tə-ˈnē-mə-tə How to pronounce protonema (audio)
-ˈne-
: the primary usually filamentous thalloid stage of the gametophyte in mosses and in some liverworts comparable to the prothallus in ferns
protonemal adjective
protonematal adjective

Word History

Etymology

New Latin protonemat-, protonema, from prot- + Greek nēma thread — more at nemat-

First Known Use

1857, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of protonema was in 1857

Dictionary Entries Near protonema

Cite this Entry

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

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