: a state in hermaphroditic systems that is characterized by the development of male organs or maturation of their products before the appearance of the corresponding female product thus inhibiting self-fertilization and that is encountered commonly in mints, legumes, and composites and among diverse groups of invertebrate animals compare protogyny
2
[prot- + andr- + -y]: the appearance of male insects earlier in the season than females of the same species
Word History
Etymology
International Scientific Vocabulary prot- + -andry
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