‖ meconidium
(miːkəʊˈnɪdɪəm)
pl. -ia.
[mod.L., as if ad. Gr. *µηκωνίδιον, dim. of µήκων poppy.
For the reason for the name see quot. 1871; the dim. termination was suggested by gonidium, biastidium, etc.]
One of the fixed medusoid buds produced by certain Hydroids, which contain the reproductive elements; a gonophore.
| 1849 Allman in Ann. Nat. Hist. Ser. iii. IV. 137 The extra-capsular medusiform sporosacs (‘meconidia’) of Laomedea. 1871 ― Gymnobl. Hydroids Introd. 16 Meconidium, peculiar sporosacs, somewhat resembling a poppy capsule in form. 1884 Riverside Nat. Hist. (1888) I. 85 The cavity of the blastostyle is directly continuous with a central cavity in this meconidium. |