zygotehttp://www.oed.com/dictionary/zygote_n%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_usezygote, n.
First published 1921; not fully revised

zygotenoun

Biology.
  1. 1891–
    A body of living protoplasm, as a cell or cell-nucleus, formed by the conjugation or fusion of two such bodies in reproduction; a zygospore, or any germ-cell resulting from the union of two reproductive cells or gametes. Also attributive or as adj. That is a zygote, formed by conjugation; of or pertaining to a zygote.
    1. 1891
      Paragamy or Endokaryogamy: vegetative or gametal nuclei lying in a continuous mass of cytoplasm fuse to form a zygote nucleus.
      M. Hartog in Nature 17 September 484
    2. 1895
      The cell produced by the fusion of the bodies of two gametes is called the zygote.
      F. W. Oliver et al., translation of A. Kerner von Marilaun, Natural History of Plants vol. II. 628

zygote, n. was first published in 1921; not fully revised.

zygote, n. was last modified in July 2023.