ascus
|as-cus|
C2
/ˈæskəs/
bag for spores
Etymology
Etymology Information
'ascus' originates from New Latin/Latin, specifically the Latin/Neo-Latin word 'ascus', ultimately from Greek 'askos' where 'askos' meant 'bag' or 'skin'.
Historical Evolution
'ascus' changed from the Greek word 'askos' into Latin/Neo-Latin 'ascus' and was adopted into modern scientific English as 'ascus' used in mycology.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'a bag' in a general sense, but over time it evolved into the specific biological sense of 'a sac in which spores are formed' used in mycology.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a saclike structure in ascomycete fungi in which the sexual spores (ascospores) are formed.
Each ascus typically contains eight ascospores produced after meiosis.
Last updated: 2025/10/27 11:00