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Definition of: prothallium
(prō·thal′ē·əm) noun plural ·li·a (-ē·ə) Bot.
The first or false thallus formed on the germination of the asexually produced spores in pteridophytes; a delicate, evanescent cellular structure bearing the sexual organs. Also pro·thal′lus. [<NL <Gk. pro- before + thallion, dim. of thallos a shoot]
—pro·thal′li·al adjective
—pro·thal′line (-thal′īn, -in) adjective
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