haustorium

noun

haus·​to·​ri·​um hȯ-ˈstȯr-ē-əm How to pronounce haustorium (audio)
plural haustoria hȯ-ˈstȯr-ē-ə How to pronounce haustorium (audio)
: a nutrient-absorbing outgrowth of a fungus or parasitic plant that penetrates the tissues of the host organism

Note: Haustoria arise from the hyphae in fungi and from the roots or stems of parasitic plants (such as dodder and mistletoe).

Examples of haustorium in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
All pierce their host plants with a structure called a haustorium, which then steals water and nutrients for the mistletoe. Christie Wilcox, Discover Magazine, 21 Dec. 2015

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin haurire

First Known Use

1875, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of haustorium was in 1875

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Cite this Entry

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

Medical Definition

haustorium

noun
haus·​to·​ri·​um hȯ-ˈstōr-ē-əm, -ˈstȯr- How to pronounce haustorium (audio)
plural haustoria -ē-ə How to pronounce haustorium (audio)
: a food-absorbing outgrowth of a plant organ (as a hypha or stem)
haustorial adjective

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