Meroblastic
/ˌmɛrəˈblæstɪk/noun
Describing an egg in which cleavage divides only part of the yolk.
Did you know?Meroblastic cleavage occurs in yolk-rich eggs such as those of birds, reptiles, many fish, and insects, where development begins in a limited region rather than throughout the egg.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*mer-
“To divide or allot; a proposed ancestral root behind words for parts and portions.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
meros
“A part, portion, or share.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
blastos
“A sprout, bud, or germ; something beginning to grow.”
19th Century
Scientific Greek
meroblastos
“A compound meaning “part-germ” or referring to development confined to part of an egg.”
19th Century
English
meroblastic
“Relating to partial cleavage or development of an egg.”
Modern English
English
meroblastic
“Having cleavage that affects only part of the egg, usually because abundant yolk prevents complete division.”