stoma

noun STOH-mah Rare

Origin: From Greek stoma (mouth, opening).

Usage Note

Stoma in botany refers to the tiny pore on a leaf surface through which gas exchange occurs; in medicine it refers to a surgically created opening in the body (e.g., a colostomy). Despite ending in -a, it is masculine (lo stoma, gli stomi) — a Greek-origin pattern shared by il problema, il tema, il sistema.

Examples

"Gli stomi regolano gli scambi gassosi."

Natural Translation

Stomata regulate gas exchange.

Literal Translation

The-stomata regulate the exchanges gaseous.

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