heterokaryon

noun

het·​ero·​kary·​on ˌhe-tə-rō-ˈker-ē-ˌän How to pronounce heterokaryon (audio)
-ən,
-ˈka-rē-
: a cell (as in the mycelium of a fungus) that contains two or more genetically unlike nuclei

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from heter- + karyon, nucleus, from Greek, nut, kernel

First Known Use

1941, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of heterokaryon was in 1941

Dictionary Entries Near heterokaryon

Cite this Entry

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

Medical Definition

heterokaryon

noun
het·​ero·​kary·​on
variants also heterocaryon
: a cell in the mycelium of a fungus that contains two or more genetically unlike nuclei compare homokaryon
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