autogamy

noun

au·​tog·​a·​my ȯ-ˈtä-gə-mē How to pronounce autogamy (audio)
: self-fertilization: such as
a
: pollination of a flower by its own pollen
b
: conjugation of two sister cells or sister nuclei of protozoans or fungi
autogamous
ȯ-ˈtä-gə-məs How to pronounce autogamy (audio)
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

Dictionary Entries Near autogamy

autofrettage

autogamy

autogenesis

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Autogamy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/autogamy. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

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Medical Definition

autogamy

noun
au·​tog·​a·​my ȯ-ˈtäg-ə-mē How to pronounce autogamy (audio)
plural autogamies
: self-fertilization
especially : conjugation of two sister cells or sister nuclei of protozoans or fungi
autogamous
-məs How to pronounce autogamy (audio)
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on autogamy

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about autogamy

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