phanerogam

noun

phan·er·o·gam ˈfa-nə-rə-ˌgam

fə-ˈner-ə-

: a seed plant or flowering plant : spermatophyte

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from German Phanerogam, from the stem of New Latin Phanerogamae "group of plants with visible reproductive organs that produce seeds," from Greek phanerós "visible, conspicuous" (from phan-, base of phaínomai, phaínesthai "to become visible, come to light, appear" + -eros, adjective suffix) + New Latin -o- -o- + -gamae, noun derivative from feminine plural of -gamus -gamous — more at fantasy entry 1

First Known Use

1861, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of phanerogam was in 1861

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Cite this Entry

Style

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

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