gymnospermatous
|gym-no-sper-ma-tous|
🇺🇸
/ˌdʒɪmnəˈspɜrmətəs/
🇬🇧
/ˌdʒɪmnəˈspɜːmətəs/
relating to naked seeds
Etymology
'gymnospermatous' originates from New Latin (ultimately from Greek), specifically the elements 'gymnos' and 'sperma', where 'gymnos' meant 'naked' and 'sperma' meant 'seed'.
'gymnospermatous' developed from the New Latin terms used in 19th-century botanical taxonomy (e.g. 'Gymnospermae' / 'gymnosperm') combined with the English adjectival suffix '-ous', yielding the modern English adjective 'gymnospermatous'.
Initially it meant 'having naked seeds' in strict taxonomic descriptions; over time it has been used more broadly in botanical contexts to describe characteristics of gymnosperms.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
relating to or characteristic of gymnosperms — plants that produce 'naked' seeds not enclosed in an ovary (e.g., conifers, cycads, Ginkgo).
Gymnospermatous species such as pines and cycads bear exposed seeds on scales or cones.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Adjective 2
of or pertaining to the taxonomic group Gymnospermae (used in botanical descriptions and classifications).
The flora was described in terms of gymnospermatous and angiospermatous members for clarity in the report.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/08/31 11:25