/ ˈstəʊmə; NAmE ˈstoʊ-/ noun
1.
( biology ) a tiny pore (= hole) in the outer layer of a plant's leaf or stem
2.
( biology ) a small opening like a mouth, in some animals
3.
( medical ) an artificial opening made in an organ of the body, especially in the colon or trachea
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WORD ORIGIN
late 17th cent.: modern Latin , from Greek stoma mouth.