Pronunciation: [ɐspˈɜːməs] (IPA) 
The word "Aspermous" is not a commonly used term, but it is derived from the Latin word "asper" which means rough or harsh in texture. In IPA phonetic transcription, the spelling would be /æsˈpərməs/, where the "a" is pronounced with a short "a" sound, the "e" is silent, and the stress is on the second syllable. This word can be used to describe plants or animals that do not produce seeds or sperm.
Aspermous is an adjective derived from the combination of the prefix "a-" meaning "without" and the noun "sperm" referring to the male reproductive cells or gametes. Aspermous is used to describe an organism, especially plants, that does not produce or possess seeds or spores for reproduction. In other words, it refers to an entity that lacks the ability to generate offspring through sexual reproduction.
The term is commonly used in botany to categorize certain plants that do not bear seeds, such as fungi or some types of ferns. It signifies the absence of the reproductive structures necessary for the formation of seeds or spores, which are vital for generating new individuals or perpetuating the species. These plants may rely on alternative methods of reproduction such as vegetative propagation or asexual reproduction to ensure their survival and dissemination.
Aspermous can also be used in a figurative sense to describe situations or conditions in which reproduction or productivity is absent or reduced to an extraordinarily low level. It implies an incapacity to generate expected outcomes or desired results. This metaphorical use may be observed in contexts beyond biology, such as business, art, or social systems, where the term describes a lack of creativity, innovative ideas, or progress.
In bot., without seed.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word aspermous is derived from the Greek words a meaning without and sperma meaning seed. The combination of these elements forms aspermous, which means without seeds or not producing seeds.
