cryptogam
|cryp-to-gam|
C1
/ˈkrɪptəˌɡæm/
hidden reproduction
Etymology
Etymology Information
'cryptogam' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'kryptos' meaning 'hidden' and 'gamos' meaning 'marriage', referring to the hidden reproductive organs of these plants.
Historical Evolution
'kryptos' and 'gamos' combined in Greek to form 'kryptogamos', which was adopted into modern English as 'cryptogam'.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it referred to plants with hidden reproductive organs, and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a plant or plant-like organism that reproduces by spores, without flowers or seeds, such as ferns, mosses, algae, and fungi.
Ferns and mosses are examples of cryptogams.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/04/28 18:32