Pronunciation: ˌ he-t ə -r ō - ' tha-lik
Function: adjective
Etymology: heter- + thallus + -ic
Date: 1904
1 : having two or more morphologically similar haploid phases or types of which individuals from the same type are mutually sterile but individuals from different types are cross-fertile < heterothallic fungi> < heterothallic spores>
2 : DIOECIOUS
– het · ero · thal · lism \ - ' tha- ˌ li-z ə m \ noun