Spermatozoid

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Spermatozoid \Sper`ma*to*zo"id\, n. [Spermatozoon + Gr. e'i^dos
     form.] (Biol.)
     The male germ cell in animals and plants, the essential
     element in fertilization; a microscopic animalcule-like
     particle, usually provided with one or more cilia by which it
     is capable of active motion. In animals, the familiar type is


     that of a small, more or less ovoid head, with a delicate
     threadlike cilium, or tail. Called also {spermatozoon}. In
     plants the more usual term is {antherozoid}.
     [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  spermatozoid
       n : a motile male gamete of a plant such as an alga or fern or
           gymnosperm [syn: {antherozoid}]