plasmodesma

noun

plas·​mo·​des·​ma ˌplaz-mə-ˈdez-mə How to pronounce plasmodesma (audio)
variants or less commonly plasmodesm
ˈplaz-mə-ˌde-zəm How to pronounce plasmodesma (audio)
plural plasmodesmata ˌplaz-mə-ˈdez-mə-tə How to pronounce plasmodesma (audio) or plasmodesmas ˌplaz-mə-ˈdez-məz How to pronounce plasmodesma (audio)
: one of the cytoplasmic strands passing through openings in some plant cell walls and forming connections with adjacent cells

Word History

Etymology

New Latin plasmodesma, from plasma + Greek desmat-, desma bond, from dein to bind — more at diadem

First Known Use

1905, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of plasmodesma was in 1905

Dictionary Entries Near plasmodesma

plasmode

plasmodesma

plasmodieresis

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Plasmodesma.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plasmodesma. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.

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More from Merriam-Webster on plasmodesma

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about plasmodesma

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