micropyle

[ mahy-kruh-pahyl ]
/ ˈmaɪ krəˌpaɪl /

noun

Zoology. any minute opening in an ovum through which a spermatozoon can enter, as in many insects.
Botany. the minute orifice or opening in the integuments of an ovule.

Origin of micropyle

1815–25; micro- + Greek pýlē gate

OTHER WORDS FROM micropyle

mi·cro·py·lar, adjective

Words nearby micropyle

micropsia, micropterous, micropublish, micropump, micropuncture, micropyle, micropyrometer, microreader, microrefractometer, microrelief, microreproduction

Example sentences from the Web for micropyle

British Dictionary definitions for micropyle

micropyle
/ (ˈmaɪkrəʊˌpaɪl) /

noun

a small opening in the integuments of a plant ovule through which the male gametes pass
a small pore in the shell of an insect's eggs through which the sperm passes

Derived forms of micropyle

micropylar, adjective

Word Origin for micropyle

C19: from micro- + Greek pulē gate

Scientific definitions for micropyle

micropyle
[ mī′krə-pīl′ ]

A minute opening in the ovule of a seed plant through which the pollen tube usually enters.
A pore in the membrane covering the ovum of some animals through which a spermatozoon can enter.