Gymnospermae
|Gym-no-sper-mae|
🇺🇸
/ˌdʒɪm.nəˈspɜr.miː/
🇬🇧
/ˌdʒɪm.nəˈspɜː.miː/
naked seeds
Etymology
'Gymnospermae' originates from New Latin, ultimately from Ancient Greek 'gymnós' meaning 'naked' and 'spérma' meaning 'seed'.
'gymnós' + 'spérma' were combined in classical/modern botanical Latin to form 'Gymnospermae' as the name for the group of 'naked-seeded' plants; the formation follows standard New Latin taxonomic practice and became established in 19th-century botanical literature.
Initially, the components meant 'naked' and 'seed', and the term has preserved that core sense by denoting plants with unenclosed ("naked") seeds; its usage narrowed to a formal taxonomic name in botanical classification.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a taxonomic group (Gymnospermae) of seed-producing plants whose seeds are not enclosed within an ovary; includes conifers, cycads, Ginkgo, and gnetophytes.
Gymnospermae are an ancient lineage of seed plants that played a major role in terrestrial ecosystems before the rise of flowering plants.
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Noun 2
plants characterized morphologically by 'naked seeds' (seeds not enclosed in a fruit), used descriptively rather than strictly taxonomically.
Many botanists contrast Gymnospermae with angiosperms when discussing seed development and dispersal.
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Last updated: 2025/10/26 16:11