spermatophore

noun sper·mato·phore \ (ˌ)spər-ˈma-tə-ˌfȯr \

Definition of spermatophore

: a capsule, packet, or mass enclosing spermatozoa that is extruded by the male of various lower animals (such as insects) and is transferred to the reproductive tract of the female

Recent Examples of spermatophore from the Web

Typically, octopuses mate when the male shoots a package of sperm called a spermatophore at the female through the water.

— annalee newitz, Ars Technica, "Why octopuses are building small “cities” off the coast of Australia," 27 Sep. 2017
Male katydids, for example, produce a spermatophore during mating that can be up to 30 percent of their body mass, which contains both ejaculate and a mass of edible jelly.

— joshua rapp learn, Smithsonian, "Why Snail Sex Is Like a Box of Chocolates," 20 July 2017
Male katydids, for example, produce a spermatophore during mating that can be up to 30 percent of their body mass, which contains both ejaculate and a mass of edible jelly.

— joshua rapp learn, Smithsonian, "Why Snail Sex is Like a Box of Chocolates," 21 July 2017
The ejaculate of a male cabbage white butterfly—a packet of nutrients and sperm called a spermatophore—makes up ____________ percent of his body weight.

— rosa inocencio smith, The Atlantic, "The Atlantic Daily: Dems' Vital Vote," 20 June 2017
The bursa copulatrix digests nutrients in the spermatophore, a packet of sperm given by the male during mating.

— National Geographic, "7 Amazing Animal Organs People Don't Have," 14 Jan. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'spermatophore.' 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: circa 1849

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