Glossary entry (derived from question below)
English term or phrase:
ovum/ovule
English answer:
ovum (Pls. see explanation for context)
Added to glossary by
Joe L
Sep 19, 2006 08:36
17 yrs ago
3 viewers *
English term
ovum/ovule
English
Medical
Biology (-tech,-chem,micro-)
none
Ovum - The female reproductive cell or gamete of animals; egg. Ovule - A small or immature ovum. So says the American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language. But my American friend said, that he did not know the word "ovum" und would choose "ovule" as more common and widely used word (in American English). Which word is more common? Please advise.
Responses
5 +7 | ovum | Joe L |
5 +1 | below | Ghyslaine LE NAGARD |
4 +2 | Egg | Will Matter |
2 +1 | depends on what you want to say | Jonathan MacKerron |
2 | female gamete/germinated egg | niczav |
Responses
+7
14 mins
Selected
ovum
Please tell your American friend that THIS
American uses the word ovum, not ovule.
Furthermore, ovum brings up 4,060,000 search results on Google.
Ovule brings up 976,000.
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=ovum&btnG=Google Search
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&q=ovule&btnG=Search
Ovum is more common (at least on this side of the pond).
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Note added at 22 mins (2006-09-19 08:59:49 GMT)
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297,000 to 23,900 favoring (favouring?) ovum on
http://www.google.co.uk selecting "pages from the UK".
American uses the word ovum, not ovule.
Furthermore, ovum brings up 4,060,000 search results on Google.
Ovule brings up 976,000.
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=ovum&btnG=Google Search
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&q=ovule&btnG=Search
Ovum is more common (at least on this side of the pond).
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Note added at 22 mins (2006-09-19 08:59:49 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------
297,000 to 23,900 favoring (favouring?) ovum on
http://www.google.co.uk selecting "pages from the UK".
Peer comment(s):
agree |
airmailrpl
: -
2 hrs
|
Thanks!
|
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agree |
Brie Vernier
: This American, as well
3 hrs
|
Thanks, Brie!
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agree |
juvera
: Without further (and long winded) explanation, ovum it is, in UK English as well.
5 hrs
|
Thanks for the affirmation!
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agree |
Alfa Trans (X)
6 hrs
|
Thanks, Marju!
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agree |
Will Matter
: "Ovum" is THE word for it on this side of the pond. Another American chiming in. ;0)
17 hrs
|
Thanks, Will. Much obliged whenever you chime in.
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agree |
Michael Barnett
: Well, I'm Canadian, but think of us as unarmed Americans with health care.
20 hrs
|
Homer Simpson calls Canada "America Junior", but I chidedly acknowledge your implied point (if not the overtly stated ones) and gratefully accept your "agree"! :o)
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agree |
Sophia Finos (X)
2 days 10 hrs
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Thanks!
|
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Thanks for your useful comments. "
+1
2 mins
depends on what you want to say
Dorland's Medical Dictionary
Ovum = "the female reproductive cell which, after fertilization, becomes a zygote that develops into a new member of the same species. Called also egg. 2. the human mature oocyte: a round cell about 0.1 mm in diameter, produced in the ovary, where there is deposited around it a noncellular covering (oolemma; zona pellucida; zona radiata). It consists of protoplasm that contains some yolk, enclosed by a thin cell wall (vitelline membrane). There is a large nucleus (germinal vesicle), within which is a nucleolus (germinal spot). 3. the term was formerly extended to include any early stage of the conceptus."
ovule = "1. the ovum within the ovarian (graafian) follicle. 2. any small, egglike structure. 3. the megasporangium enclosed within one or more integuments that, after fertilization, becomes a plant seed."
Ovum = "the female reproductive cell which, after fertilization, becomes a zygote that develops into a new member of the same species. Called also egg. 2. the human mature oocyte: a round cell about 0.1 mm in diameter, produced in the ovary, where there is deposited around it a noncellular covering (oolemma; zona pellucida; zona radiata). It consists of protoplasm that contains some yolk, enclosed by a thin cell wall (vitelline membrane). There is a large nucleus (germinal vesicle), within which is a nucleolus (germinal spot). 3. the term was formerly extended to include any early stage of the conceptus."
ovule = "1. the ovum within the ovarian (graafian) follicle. 2. any small, egglike structure. 3. the megasporangium enclosed within one or more integuments that, after fertilization, becomes a plant seed."
Peer comment(s):
agree |
Christine Andersen
: Good distinction between the two. Normally I'd go for 'ovum' - but I'm British and not familiar with US usage.
27 mins
|
+1
4 mins
below
ovum = ovule
From a researcher friend of mine : 1st one is used in biology
second one is the common word.
I would chose the one corresponding to the context.
From a researcher friend of mine : 1st one is used in biology
second one is the common word.
I would chose the one corresponding to the context.
42 mins
female gamete/germinated egg
I THINK these are the more generic terms.
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Note added at 43 mins (2006-09-19 09:20:39 GMT)
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But they are, as far as I am aware, distinct terms and cannot be used interchangeably.
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Note added at 43 mins (2006-09-19 09:20:39 GMT)
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But they are, as far as I am aware, distinct terms and cannot be used interchangeably.
+2
15 hrs
English term (edited):
ovum / ovule
Egg
It's true, most educated or semi-educated people in the U.S. would tend to use the word 'ovum' more than they would use the word 'ovule' but, really, if it came to discussing such matters the vast majority of Americans would simply use 'egg' or 'eggs'. Not suggesting that this be used as a serious substitute in a scientific context, just letting you know that in most cases the average American would tend to use 'egg' first, 'ovum' second and 'ovule' as a distant third. HTH.
Note from asker:
Thanks a lot for your version. It is good, but we decided to choose "ovum" for the Dictionary |
Peer comment(s):
agree |
Isabelle Bouchet
1 day 7 hrs
|
Merci.
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agree |
Joe L
: Hi, Will. Forgot all about this question. I see you answered too. Though after the fact, for what it's worth, you make a very good point.
6 days
|
Discussion