from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Haploid \Hap"loid\ (h[a^]p"loid), a. [NL., fr. Gr. "aplo`os
simple.] (Biol.)
having half the number of chromosomes normally present in
somatic cells; having only one chromosome of each type, and
therefore having only one complete set of genes; Contrasted
with {diploid} and {polyploid}. See also {diploid}.
Note: The germ cells of animals, the ovum and sperm cells,
are haploid, whereas the somatic cells are diploid.
Haploid variants of somatic cells may also be generated
under certain conditions in the laboratory.
[PJC]