ˌprōt ə nˈēmə noun
( plural protonema·ta -məd.ə)
Etymology: New Latin, from prot- + -nema
: the primary and usually transitory growth or thalloid stage of the gametophyte in mosses and in some liverworts that corresponds somewhat to the prothallium in ferns, that is usually a filamentous body resembling an alga though sometimes flat and platelike, that originates from the germination of an asexual spore, that is capable of independent growth, and that gives rise by budding to the moss plant proper or to the second stage of the gametophyte
• pro·to·ne·mal | ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷|ēməl adjective
• pro·to·ne·ma·tal -məd. ə l adjective
• pro·to·ne·ma·toid -məˌtȯid adjective