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ovule

   Also found in: Medical, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia, Hutchinson 0.01 sec.
o·vule  (vyl, vyl)
n.
1. Botany A minute structure in seed plants, containing the embryo sac and surrounded by the nucellus, that develops into a seed after fertilization.
2. Zoology A small or immature ovum.

[New Latin vulum, diminutive of Latin vum, egg; see awi- in Indo-European roots.]

ovu·lar (vy-lr, vy-), ovu·lary (-lr) adj.

ovule [ˈɒvjuːl]
n
1. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Botany) a small body in seed-bearing plants that consists of the integument(s), nucellus, and embryosac (containing the egg cell) and develops into the seed after fertilization
2. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Zoology) Zoology an immature ovum
[via French from Medieval Latin ōvulum a little egg, from Latin ōvum egg]
ovular  adj

ovule  (vyl, vyl)
The female reproductive structure that develops into a seed in a seed-bearing plant. An ovule consists of a megasporangium surrounded by one or two layers of tissue called integuments. The megasporangium produces spores that develop into megagametophytes. These megagametophytes remain within the tissues of the ovule and produce one or more egg cells. Sperm from pollen grains enter the ovule through an opening called a micropyle and fertilize the egg cells. The resulting embryo then begins to develop within the ovule, which becomes a seed. Among the conifers and cycads, the ovules are typically found in pairs on scales in the female cones. The ovules of angiosperms are contained in a structure called the ovary within in the flower. See more at flowergametophytemegasporogenesispollination
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Noun1.ovuleovule - a small body that contains the female germ cell of a plant; develops into a seed after fertilization
reproductive structure - the parts of a plant involved in its reproduction
chalaza - basal part of a plant ovule opposite the micropyle; where integument and nucellus are joined
nucellus - central part of a plant ovule; contains the embryo sac
micropyle - minute opening in the wall of an ovule through which the pollen tube enters
amphitropous ovule - a partly inverted ovule turned back 90 degrees on its stalk
anatropous ovule - a completely inverted ovule turned back 180 degrees on its stalk
campylotropous ovule - a curved ovule with the micropyle almost touching the funiculus
orthotropous ovule - a completely straight ovule with the micropyle at the apex
seed - a mature fertilized plant ovule consisting of an embryo and its food source and having a protective coat or testa
2.ovule - a small or immature ovum
egg cell, ovum - the female reproductive cell; the female gamete
Translations
ovule [ˈəʊvjuːl] Nóvulo m
ovule
n (Zool) → Ovulum nt, → Ei nt; (Bot) → Samenanlage f
ovule [ˈɒvjuːl] novulo
ovule [ˈɒvjuːl] novulo


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? Mentioned in ? References in classic literature
 
But it is the opinion of most physiologists that there is no essential difference between a bud and an ovule in their earliest stages of formation; so that, in fact,
The colour was caused by little gelatinous balls, about the fifth of an inch in diameter, in which numerous minute spherical ovules were imbedded: they were of two distinct kinds, one being of a reddish colour and of a different shape from the other.
 
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