zygote - Definitions from Dictionary.com

6 results for: zygote

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

zy·gote

Audio Help [zahy-goht, zig-oht] Pronunciation Key

–noun Biology.

the cell produced by the union of two gametes, before it undergoes cleavage.

[Origin: 1885–90; < Gk zygōtós yoked, equiv. to zygō-, var. s. of zygoûn to yoke, join together (deriv. of zygón yoke¹) + -tos adj. suffix

]

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
zygote

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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

zy·gote Audio Help (zī'gōt') Pronunciation Key
n.

The cell formed by the union of two gametes, especially a fertilized ovum before cleavage.
The organism that develops from a zygote.

[From Greek zugōtos, yoked, from zugoun, to yoke; see yeug- in Indo-European roots.]

zy·got'ic (-gŏt'ĭk) adj., zy·got'i·cal·ly adv.

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
zygote

1891, from Gk. zygotos "yoked," from zygon "yoke" (see jugular).

WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

zygote
noun
(genetics) the diploid cell resulting from the union of a haploid spermatozoon and ovum (including the organism that develops from that cell)

The American Heritage Science Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

zygote Audio Help (zī'gōt') Pronunciation Key
The cell formed by the union of the nuclei of two reproductive cells (gametes), especially a fertilized egg cell.

American Heritage New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition - Cite This Source - Share This
zygote [(zeye-goht)]

The single cell that results from fertilization of an ovum by a sperm. After dividing several times, it implants in the uterus. It continues to divide, producing more cells and passing through the stages of embryo and fetus.

[Chapter:] Medicine and Health

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