Sporulate (verb)
spor-oo-layt
To produce spores.
First recorded in 1880–85; sporule + -ate1
Example sentences
“With the macro lens we were able to see the mushrooms sporulate.”
Protocol (noun) pro-tuh-kol The customs and regulations dealing with formality, procedure, precedence, and etiquette. First recorded in 1535–45; earlier protocoll, from Medieval Latin prōtocollum, from Late Greek prōtókollon originally, “a…
Expeditious (adj) eks-ped-ish-us Characterized by promptness; quick. First recorded between 1590–1600 and formed from exped(ition) + -itious. (more…)
Bulbul (noun) bool-bool A bird often mentioned in Persian poetry, thought to be a nightingale. Of imitative origin, borrowed into English from Persian around 1775–85. In Arabic, bulbul is the…
Lovelorn (adj) luv-lawrn Being without love; forsaken by one's lover. First recorded in 1625–35; love + lorn (more…)
Philtre (noun) fil-ter A potion, charm, or drug supposed to cause the person taking it to fall in love, usually with some specific person. First recorded in 1580–90; from French…
Diffident (adj) dif-uh-dent shy; lacking self-confidence. First recorded between 1425–75. From Latin diffīdēns, “mistrusting, despairing.” (more…)
Glom (verb) glom To grab, catch or steal. 1895–1900, Americanism; compare Scots glaum, glam to snatch at, glammis jaws of a vise,related to clam. (more…)
Basketry (noun) bas-ket-ree The art of basket making. Baskets, collectively. First recorded in 1850–55 (more…)
Eyesome (adj) ay-sum pleasant to look at. First recorded in English between 1575–85. (more…)