spore

Meaning

Noun

1. A reproductive particle, usually a single cell, released by a fungus, alga, or plant that may germinate into another.
2. A thick resistant particle produced by a bacterium or protist to survive in harsh or unfavorable conditions.

Verb

To produce spores.

Synonyms

seed

cell

germ

boll

ovum

tetraspore

grain

Pronounced as (IPA)

/spɔː/

Etymology

Cognate with English: spread

In summary

From New Latin spora, from Ancient Greek σπορά (sporá, “seed”), related to σπόρος (spóros, “sowing”) and σπείρω (speírō, “to sow”), from Proto-Indo-European *sper- (“to strew”) (compare English spread).