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spermatozoon

noun

  1. male reproductive cell
L227447 on Wikidata ↗

Wiktionary

Pronunciation: /ˌspɜːmətə(ʊ)ˈzəʊɒn/

noun

Etymology: From Ancient Greek σπέρμα (spérma, “sperm”) + ζῷον (zōîon, “living thing”), equivalent to spermato- + -zoon.

  1. A reproductive cell or gamete of a male, carried in semen, that fertilizes an ovum to produce a zygote.

    “But let us suppose [...] that one hardy or lucky spermatozoon has reached the waiting egg.”

    “A sperm, or spermatozoa, is the microscopic male reproductive cell. Sperms are made up of oval-shaped heads and long tails that they use for mobility.”