Zygote
/ˈzaɪɡoʊt/noun
A cell formed when two gametes fuse, marking the earliest stage of a new organism.
Did you know?Zygote comes from the same ancient root as “yoga,” both carrying the idea of joining or yoking together.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*yeug-
“To join, yoke, or harness together”
Ancient Greek
Greek
zugón (ζυγόν)
“Yoke; a device joining animals or objects”
Ancient Greek
Greek
zugōtós (ζυγωτός)
“Yoked or joined together”
19th Century
Scientific Latin
zygota
“A cell produced by the union of reproductive cells”
19th Century
English
zygote
“The cell formed by the fusion of two gametes”
Modern English
English
zygote
“The fertilized cell from which an embryo develops”