Pronunciation: ( ˌ )sp ə r- ' m ā -sh( ē -) ə m
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural -tia \ -sh( ē -) ə \
Etymology: New Latin, from Greek spermation, diminutive of spermat-, sperma
Date: 1856
: a nonmotile male gamete of a red alga also : a nonmotile cell functioning as a male gamete in certain fungi and lichens
– sper · ma · tial \ -sh( ē -) ə l \ adjective