autogamy
|au-to-ga-my|
🇺🇸
/ɔːˈtɑːɡəmi/
🇬🇧
/ɔːˈtɒɡəmi/
self-fertilization / self-pollination
Etymology
'autogamy' originates from Greek, specifically from the elements 'autos' meaning 'self' and 'gamos' meaning 'marriage'.
'autogamy' entered scientific use via New Latin/'autogamia' and was adopted into English (mainly in botanical and biological contexts) in the 19th century.
Initially formed from words meaning 'self-marriage', it came to be used in biology to mean 'self-fertilization' or 'self-pollination.'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
self-fertilization or self-pollination; the fertilization of an organism (often a plant or hermaphroditic animal) by its own pollen or gametes.
Many legume species reproduce primarily by autogamy, ensuring seed production even when pollinators are scarce.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/08/27 16:45