protonema

noun

pro·​to·​ne·​ma ˌprō-tə-ˈnē-mə How to pronounce protonema (audio)
plural protonemata ˌprō-tə-ˈnē-mə-tə How to pronounce protonema (audio)
-ˈne-
: the primary usually filamentous thalloid stage of the gametophyte in mosses and in some liverworts comparable to the prothallus in ferns
protonemal
ˌprō-tə-ˈnē-məl How to pronounce protonema (audio)
adjective
protonematal
ˌprō-tə-ˈnē-mə-tᵊl How to pronounce protonema (audio) -ˈne- How to pronounce protonema (audio)
adjective

Word History

Etymology

New Latin protonemat-, protonema, from prot- + Greek nēma thread — more at nemat-

First Known Use

1857, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of protonema was in 1857

Dictionary Entries Near protonema

protonate

protonema

Protonemertini

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

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

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about protonema

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