-ˌspərm noun
Etymology: French endosperme, from end- + sperme sperm
1. : a nutritive tissue in seed plants formed around the embryo within the embryo sac by proliferation of the endosperm nucleus to form a mass of thin-walled triploid cells rich in carbohydrates which may be absorbed by the developing embryo or may remain until the seed germinates
2. : any storage tissue within the seed regardless of its origin (as the female gametophyte tissue in gymnospermous seeds)
• en·do·sper·mic | ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷|spərmik adjective
• en·do·sper·mous -məs adjective