sterigma

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noun

A slim projecting part of the basidium of some species of fungi that carries the basidiospore.

OriginAncient Greek στήριγμα →
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Meanings

nounsterigma (plural sterigmata or sterigmas)

plural sterigmata · plural sterigmas

  1. biologyA slim projecting part of the basidium of some species of fungi that carries the basidiospore.
  2. biologyA woody projection from the tip of the leaf base in certain conifers (Picea and Tsuga).

    These sterigmata are retained and make the twigs rough for several years after leaf fall.

    2009, J.E. Eckenwalder, Conifers of the World: The Complete Reference, Timber Press, →ISBN
  3. biologyPart of the genitalia of moths.

Origin

  1. Ancient Greekστήριγμα“support, foundation”
  2. Englishsterigma

From Ancient Greek στήριγμα (stḗrigma, “support, foundation”).

More words from Ancient Greek

Full word history & related roots →

Rhymes & wordplay

Anagrams

magisterGemaristGaimster
Cite this entry
APA

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

MLA

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

Chicago

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

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