Paraphysis \Pa*raph"y*sis\, n.; pl. {Paraphyses}. [NL., fr. Gr. ? beside + ? growth.] (Bot.) A minute jointed filament growing among the archegonia and antheridia of mosses, or with the spore cases, etc., of other flowerless plants.
paraphysis n : a sterile simple or branched filament or hair borne among sporangia; may be pointed or clubbed [also: {paraphyses} (pl)] paraphyses See {paraphysis}