sorus

S1O1R1U1S1
/ˈsɔːɹəs/

noun

Any reproductive structure, in some lichens and fungi, that produces spores.

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fruit dot
OriginNew Latin sōrus ← Ancient Greek σωρός →
Scrabble 5
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Meanings

nounsorus (plural sori)

plural sori

  1. biologyAny reproductive structure, in some lichens and fungi, that produces spores.
  2. biologyA cluster of sporangia on the edge or underside of a fern frond.

    AGLAOMORPHIA, [...] Sori non-indusiate, rotundate, [...] Fronds coriaceous, dimorphous, the sterile sessile querciform, brown rigid; [...]

    1857, Thomas Moore, Index Filicum: A Synopsis, with Characters, of the Genera, and an Enumeration of the Species of Ferns : with Synonymes, References

Synonyms & antonyms

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fruit dot

Origin

  1. Ancient Greekσωρός“heap”
  2. New Latinsōrus
  3. Englishsorus

From New Latin sōrus, from Ancient Greek σωρός (sōrós, “heap”).

More words from New Latin, Ancient Greek

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Czech výtrusná kupka
  • výtrusná kupkaCluster of sporangia under fern
Finnish itiöpesäkeryhmä, itiöpesäkkeistö
  • itiöpesäkeryhmämycology, lichenology: Any reproductive structure that produces spores
  • itiöpesäkkeistömycology, lichenology: Any reproductive structure that produces spores
  • itiöpesäkeryhmäCluster of sporangia under fern
  • itiöpesäkkeistöCluster of sporangia under fern
German Kapselhaufen, Kapselhäufchen
  • KapselhaufenCluster of sporangia under fern
  • KapselhäufchenCluster of sporangia under fern
  • FruchthaufenCluster of sporangia under fern
  • FruchthäufchenCluster of sporangia under fern
  • SorusCluster of sporangia under fern
Italian soro
  • soroCluster of sporangia under fern
Portuguese soro
  • soroCluster of sporangia under fern
Spanish soro
  • soroCluster of sporangia under fern
Swedish sporgömmesamling
  • sporgömmesamlingCluster of sporangia under fern

Rhymes & wordplay

Anagrams

Russo
Cite this entry
APA

sorus. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 3, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/sorus

MLA

“sorus.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/sorus. Accessed November 3, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “sorus,” accessed November 3, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/sorus.

Source: sorus on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.