: a primitive usually unicellular often environmentally resistant dormant or reproductive body produced by plants, fungi, and some microorganisms and capable of development into a new individual either directly or after fusion with another spore
The bacterial milky spore disease, Bacillus popillae, kills Japanese beetle grubs in the soil. Tim Johnson, Chicago Tribune, 16 July 2022 Inspect the wood for dry rot by looking for spore dust, fruiting bodies of fungus, or a lingering damp or musty smell. Timothy Dale, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 July 2022 Our supplement also includes a 20 million-spore probiotic, which has been found to aid with IBS symptoms.The Salt Lake Tribune, 13 June 2022 Our supplement also has a 20 million-spore probiotic, which has been found to help with IBS symptoms.The Salt Lake Tribune, 6 June 2022 Our vegan protein blend is complemented with a 20 million spore probiotic to keep your gut happy.The Salt Lake Tribune, 25 May 2022 Sixty percent of people who inhale a Coccidioides spore have no symptoms or only very mild flu-like symptoms, do not see a doctor, and don't make it into the statistics. Stephanie Innes, The Arizona Republic, 29 Apr. 2022 The main component often missing for a mold spore to transition into a living colony is moisture. Michael Rubino, Forbes, 18 Mar. 2022 Potter even once attempted to submit a scientific paper on spore germination to the Linnean Society—but eventually withdrew, per a V&A biography. Nora Mcgreevy, Smithsonian Magazine, 28 Mar. 2022
Verb
Two different strains will not contribute equally to spore and stalks.Quanta Magazine, 5 Nov. 2015 See More
Word History
Etymology
Noun
New Latin spora seed, spore, from Greek, act of sowing, seed, from speirein to sow — more at sperm