endothecium

[ en-doh-thee-shee-uhm, -see-uhm ]

noun,plural en·do·the·ci·a [en-doh-thee-shee-uh, -see-uh]. /ˌɛn doʊˈθi ʃi ə, -si ə/. Botany.
  1. the lining of the cavity of an anther.

  2. (in mosses) the central mass of cells in the rudimentary capsule, from which the archespore is generally developed.

  1. (in bryophytes) the central mass of cells in the capsule, including the spores and columella.

Origin of endothecium

1
First recorded in 1825–35; endo- + thecium

Other words from endothecium

  • en·do·the·ci·al [en-doh-thee-shee-uhl, -shuhl, -see-uhl], /ˌɛn doʊˈθi ʃi əl, -ʃəl, -si əl/, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

British Dictionary definitions for endothecium

endothecium

/ (ˌɛndəʊˈθiːʃɪəm, -sɪəm) /


nounplural -cia (-ʃɪə, -sɪə) botany
  1. the inner mass of cells of the developing capsule in mosses

  2. the fibrous tissue of the inner wall of an anther

Origin of endothecium

1
C19: New Latin, from endo- + Greek thēkion case; see theca

Derived forms of endothecium

  • endothecial, adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012