autogamy

noun

au·tog·a·my ȯ-ˈtä-gə-mē

: self-fertilization: such as

: pollination of a flower by its own pollen

: conjugation of two sister cells or sister nuclei of protozoans or fungi

autogamous

ȯ-ˈtä-gə-məs

adjective

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from German Autogamie, from auto- auto- + -gamie -gamy

Note: The term was introduced by the Austrian botanist Anton Kerner von Marilaun (1831-98) in Die Schutzmitteln der Blüthen gegen unberufene Gäste (Innsbruck, 1876), p. 6.

First Known Use

1877, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of autogamy was in 1877

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Autogamy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/autogamy. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

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Medical Definition

autogamy

noun

au·tog·a·my ȯ-ˈtäg-ə-mē

plural autogamies

: self-fertilization

especially : conjugation of two sister cells or sister nuclei of protozoans or fungi

autogamous

-məs

adjective

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autogamy

noun

Word History

Dictionary Entries Near autogamy

Cite this Entry

Medical Definition