See Also: Sperm(medicine)
sperm(encyclopedia)
sperm(dictionary)
Sperm(health)
sperm(dictionary)
sperm banks(medicine)
sperm whale(medicine)
Sperm allergy(health)
Sperm antibodies(health)
Sperm bank(health)

sperm (iou)



sperm noun. Pl. same, -s. LME.
[Late Latin sperma from Greek = sperm, seed, from base of speirein to sow. Cf. SPERMA.]
(The fluid which includes) the male reproductive cells or gametes of humans and animals; semen. LME.
b. A spermatozoon. Also sperm cell. E20.
collect. The eggs of an insect. E17-M18.
The generative matter or source from which any plant, material thing, quality, etc., is formed or takes its origin. literary. E17.
A sperm whale. M19.
Spermaceti. M19.
Comb.: sperm-aster Biology a star-shaped configuration which in some species forms ahead of the sperm nucleus as it enters the egg in fertilization; sperm bank a supply of semen stored for use in artificial insemination; sperm candle a spermaceti candle; sperm cell: see sense 1b above; sperm count the approximate number of spermatozoa in one ejaculation or in a measured amount of semen; sperm morula a ball of spermatozoa; sperm oil an oil found with spermaceti in the heads of various whales, and used as a lubricant. See also SPERM WHALE.
spermic adjective (rare) of or pertaining to sperm or seed M19.
spermous adjective (rare) = spermy E19.
spermy adjective (rare) resembling or of the nature of sperm; spermatic; full of sperm: LME.