spermatophore

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“
Instead of the familiar-to-us method of copulation, male cockroaches produce a hard, little packet full of sperm, called a spermatophore, which they transfer into their favorite gal.

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Definitions (3)

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  1. noun A capsule or compact mass of spermatozoa extruded by the males of certain invertebrates and primitive vertebrates and directly transferred to the reproductive parts of the female.

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Examples (2)

  • Instead of the familiar-to-us method of copulation, male cockroaches produce a hard, little packet full of sperm, called a spermatophore, which they transfer into their favorite gal. —  Boing Boing
  • Depending on species the sperm is placed directly inside the cloaca of the female or a packaged spermatophore is attached near her cloaca and the sperm swim inside. —  Featured Articles - Encyclopedia of Earth
 

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Etymologies (1)

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  1. from Greek σπέρμα(τ-), seed, + φέρειν = English bear.
 

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/ˈspərmətəfoʊr/
by American Heritage

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