Gonophore

Definitions

  • Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
    • Gonophore (Bot) A lengthened receptacle, bearing the stamens and carpels in a conspicuous manner.
    • Gonophore (Zoöl) A sexual zooid produced as a medusoid bud upon a hydroid, sometimes becoming a free hydromedusa, sometimes remaining attached. See Hydroidea, and Illusts. of Athecata Campanularian, and Gonosome.
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Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia
    • n gonophore In botany, a prolongation of the axis of a flower, bearing the stamens and pistil above the perianth, as in Gynandropsis.
    • n gonophore In zoology, one of the generative buds or receptacles of the reproductive elements in the hydrozoans or zoöphytes.
    • n gonophore In physiology, any accessory organ of generation which serves to convey or detain the generative products of tho gonads or essential sexual organs of either sex. Oviducts and spermiducts of all kinds, as well as uteri, seminal vesicles, etc., are gonophores.
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Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary
    • n Gonophore gon′o-fōr the ultimate generative zooid of a hydrozoan, originating directly the generative elements.
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Etymology

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
Gr. offspring, seed + fe`rein to bear
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary
Gr. gonos, seed, pherein, to bear.

Usage

In literature:

In some cases both free medusae and gonophores may be produced from the same hydroid colony.
"Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 14, Slice 2" by Various
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