Stoma

2 definitions found

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

  Stoma \Sto"ma\, n.; pl. {Stomata}. [NL., fr. Gr. ?, ?, a mouth.]
     1. (Anat.) One of the minute apertures between the cells in
        many serous membranes.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. (Bot.)


        (a) The minute breathing pores of leaves or other organs
            opening into the intercellular spaces, and usually
            bordered by two contractile cells.
        (b) The line of dehiscence of the sporangium of a fern. It
            is usually marked by two transversely elongated cells.
            See Illust. of {Sporangium}.
            [1913 Webster]
  
     3. (Zool.) A stigma. See {Stigma}, n., 6
        (a) &
        (b) .
            [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  stoma
       n 1: a minute epidermal pore in a leaf or stem through which
            gases and water vapor can pass [syn: {stomate}, {pore}]
       2: a mouth or mouthlike opening (especially one created by
          surgery on the surface of the body to create an opening to
          an internal organ)
       [also: {stomata} (pl)]