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monoecy

Upper-Intermediate (B2)

IPA: /məˈniːsi/

KK: /məˈniːsi/

noun
Definition

The condition in which a single plant has both male and female reproductive organs, allowing it to produce both pollen and ovules.


Example

Many plants exhibit monoecy, enabling them to self-pollinate and reproduce efficiently.


Conversation
Sloth A
Have you ever heard about monoecy in plants?
Sloth B
Yeah, I think it means a plant has both male and female organs, right?
Sloth A
Exactly! It’s really interesting how some plants can self-pollinate.
Sloth B
I love learning about plant biology; it’s so fascinating!

Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
hermaphroditism
bisexuality
gynandromorphism
Antonyms
dioecy
unisex
asexuality
Root Explanation

Monoecy → It is formed from "mono-" (from Greek "monos", meaning single or alone) and "oikos" (meaning house or dwelling). The term refers to a condition in which both male and female reproductive organs are found in the same individual, as if they are housed together in one organism.

Memory Tip

Think of 'single' ('mono-') and 'house' ('oikos') to remember that monoecy refers to organisms that have both male and female reproductive structures in one 'house'.

Visually Confused Words
money
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