ascospore

[ as-kuh-spawr, -spohr ]
/ ˈæs kəˌspɔr, -ˌspoʊr /

noun Mycology.

a spore formed within an ascus.

Origin of ascospore

First recorded in 1870–75; asco- + spore

OTHER WORDS FROM ascospore

as·co·spor·ic [as-kuh-spawr-ik, -spor-] /ˌæs kəˈspɔr ɪk, -ˈspɒr-/, as·cos·po·rous [as-kos-per-uh s, as-kuh-spawr-, -spohr-] /æsˈkɒs pər əs, ˌæs kəˈspɔr-, -ˈspoʊr-/, adjective

Words nearby ascospore

ascon, asconoid, ascorbase, ascorbate, ascorbic acid, ascospore, ascot, ascribe, ascribed status, ascription, ascriptive

British Dictionary definitions for ascospore

ascospore
/ (ˈæskəˌspɔː) /

noun

one of the spores (usually eight in number) that are produced in an ascus

Scientific definitions for ascospore

ascospore
[ ăs′kə-spôr′ ]

A sexually produced fungal spore formed within an ascus of ascomycetes. Ascospores have a haploid number of chromosomes and are formed by meiosis of the diploid zygote that results when the nuclei of sexually compatible hyphae fuse together. When an ascospore is released and lands in a place that is rich in nutrients, it germinates and sends out hyphae of its own.