spermo-

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

spermo-, 

1. a combining form of sperm ¹, used also with the meaning "seed,'' "germ,'' "semen,'' in the formation of compound words:
   spermophyte.

Also,[esp. before a vowel,] sperm-. 

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

spermato-, 

1. a combining form meaning "seed'';
   used with this meaning and as a combining form of sperm ¹ in the formation of compound words:
   spermatogonium.
   Also,[esp. before a vowel,] spermat-. Cf. sperm-, -sperm, -spermal, -spermic, spermo-, -spermous. 

• Greek spermat- (stem of spérma; see sperm¹) + -o-

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

spermato-, spermo-(before a vowel)spermat-, sperm- combining_form

1. indicating sperm
2. indicating seed: spermatophyte

Etymology: from Greek sperma, spermat-, seed; see sperm¹