androecium

noun

an·​droe·​ci·​um an-ˈdrē-shē-əm How to pronounce androecium (audio)
-sē-əm
plural androecia an-ˈdrē-shē-ə How to pronounce androecium (audio)
-sē-ə
: the male reproductive part of a flowering plant that consists of the aggregate of stamens in a flower, is surrounded by the petals, and encircles the carpels compare gynoecium
androecial adjective
androecial morphology

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin androeceum, from andr- andr- + Greek oîkos "house, home" + -eum, for Greek -eion, noun suffix — more at vicinity

Note: Regarding the introduction of this term see the etymology note at gynoecium.

First Known Use

circa 1836, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of androecium was circa 1836

Dictionary Entries Near androecium

Cite this Entry

“Androecium.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/androecium. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on androecium

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!