‖ spermatozoon
(-ˈzəʊɒn)
Pl. -zoa.
[f. spermato- + Gr. ζῷον living thing, animal.]
One of the numerous minute and active filaments present in the seminal fluid, by which the fecundation of the ovum is effected.
| 1836–9 Todd's Cycl. Anat. II. 113/1 The Spermatozoa have been detected..in the different classes of the Articulate Animals. 1844 G. Bird Urin. Deposits (1857) 376 Mixed with these are generally found round granular bodies, rather larger than the body of a spermatozoon. 1881 Mivart Cat 245 The special secretion of the testis consists of certain spermatic filaments or spermatozoa. |