dispermy: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
RareTechnical / Scientific
Quick answer
What does “dispermy” mean?
The fertilization of an ovum by two spermatozoa.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The fertilization of an ovum by two spermatozoa.
In biology and medicine, an abnormal condition where a single egg is fertilized by two separate sperm, leading to triploidy (three sets of chromosomes) and typically resulting in miscarriage or severe developmental abnormalities.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in usage. Spelling is consistent.
Connotations
Purely technical with negative connotations regarding viability.
Frequency
Equally rare in both dialects, confined to specialist literature.
Grammar
How to Use “dispermy” in a Sentence
N/A (noun)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “dispermy” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- The dispermic embryo was non-viable.
- They observed a dispermic condition.
American English
- The dispermic embryo was nonviable.
- They observed a dispermic condition.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
N/A
Academic
Used in genetics and embryology textbooks and research papers.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
The primary context: describing a specific fertilization abnormality.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “dispermy”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “dispermy”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “dispermy”
- Confusing with 'polyspermy' (fertilization by multiple sperm, common in some species). 'Dispermy' specifically implies two sperm.
- Using it as a verb, e.g., 'The egg dispermied.' Incorrect.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Twins result from two separate eggs or the splitting of one embryo. Dispermy involves one egg and two sperm, creating a single, genetically abnormal embryo.
Rarely, and not to term. A triploid fetus may survive for a short time in utero but results in miscarriage or severe malformations incompatible with life.
Almost exclusively in medical journals, embryology textbooks, and clinical genetics reports.
Monospermy, the normal condition where only one sperm successfully fertilises the egg.
The fertilization of an ovum by two spermatozoa.
Dispermy is usually technical / scientific in register.
Dispermy: in British English it is pronounced /dɪˈspɜːmi/, and in American English it is pronounced /dɪˈspɜːrmi/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “N/A”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think DIS (two) + SPERMY (sperm) = two sperm entering one egg.
Conceptual Metaphor
A faulty assembly line where two workers (sperm) try to install one set of instructions into a single product (egg), causing a catastrophic error.
Practice
Quiz
What is the direct chromosomal consequence of dispermy?