from
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)
stoma
n 1: a minute epidermal pore in a leaf or stem through which
gases and water vapor can pass [syn: {stoma}, {stomate},
{pore}]
2: a mouth or mouthlike opening (especially one created by
surgery on the surface of the body to create an opening to an
internal organ)
from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Stoma \Sto"ma\, n.; pl. {Stomata}. [NL., fr. Gr. ?, ?, a mouth.]
1. (Anat.) One of the minute apertures between the cells in
many serous membranes.
[1913 Webster]
2. (Bot.)
(a) The minute breathing pores of leaves or other organs
opening into the intercellular spaces, and usually
bordered by two contractile cells.
(b) The line of dehiscence of the sporangium of a fern. It
is usually marked by two transversely elongated cells.
See Illust. of {Sporangium}.
[1913 Webster]
3. (Zool.) A stigma. See {Stigma}, n., 6
(a) &
(b) .
[1913 Webster]