OVULE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does ovule mean? 

• OVULE (noun)
  The noun OVULE has 2 senses:

1. a small body that contains the female germ cell of a plant; develops into a seed after fertilization

2. a small or immature ovum

  Familiarity information: OVULE used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• OVULE (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A small body that contains the female germ cell of a plant; develops into a seed after fertilization

Classified under:

Nouns denoting plants

Hypernyms ("ovule" is a kind of...):

reproductive structure (the parts of a plant involved in its reproduction)

Meronyms (parts of "ovule"):

chalaza (basal part of a plant ovule opposite the micropyle; where integument and nucellus are joined)

nucellus (central part of a plant ovule; contains the embryo sac)

micropyle (minute opening in the wall of an ovule through which the pollen tube enters)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "ovule"):

amphitropous ovule (a partly inverted ovule turned back 90 degrees on its stalk)

anatropous ovule (a completely inverted ovule turned back 180 degrees on its stalk)

campylotropous ovule (a curved ovule with the micropyle almost touching the funiculus)

orthotropous ovule (a completely straight ovule with the micropyle at the apex)

seed (a mature fertilized plant ovule consisting of an embryo and its food source and having a protective coat or testa)

Derivation:

ovular (being or of the nature of an ovule)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A small or immature ovum

Classified under:

Nouns denoting body parts

Hypernyms ("ovule" is a kind of...):

egg cell; ovum (the female reproductive cell; the female gamete)

Derivation:

ovular (of or relating to an ovum)

ovulate (produce and discharge eggs)

 Context examples 

A structure consisting of the fertilized and immature ovules ("seeds") and the ovary wall, which may be fleshy (as in the apple) or dry and hard (as in a maple fruit).

(Fruit, Immature, Food and Drug Administration)

A structure consisting of the fertilized and mature ovules ("seeds") and the ovary wall, which may be fleshy (as in the apple) or dry and hard (as in a maple fruit).

(Fruit, Food and Drug Administration)