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Definition of pileus - 6 dictionary results

pi⋅le⋅us

  [pahy-lee-uhs, pil-ee-]
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–noun, plural pi⋅le⋅i  [pahy-lee-ahy, pil-ee-ahy] for 1, 2, 4, pi⋅le⋅us for 3.
1. Mycology. the horizontal portion of a mushroom, bearing gills, tubes, etc., on its underside; a cap.
2. Zoology.
a. the umbrella or bell of a jellyfish.
b. pileum.
3. Also called cap cloud, scarf cloud. Meteorology. a small, thin cloud just above or attached to a growing cumulus cloud.
4. a felt skullcap worn by the ancient Romans and Greeks.
Origin:
1750–60; < NL, special use of L pīleus skullcap; akin to Gk pîlos felt, felt cap
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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caul   (kôl)   
n.  

  1. A portion of the amnion, especially when it covers the head of a fetus at birth. Also called pileus.

  2. See greater omentum.


[Middle English calle, from Old English cawl, basket.]
pi·le·us   (pī'lē-əs)   
n.   pl. pi·le·i (-lē-ī')

  1. Botany The umbrellalike fruiting structure forming the top of a stalked fleshy fungus, such as a mushroom; the cap.

  2. A brimless round skullcap worn by ancient Romans.

  3. See caul.


[New Latin pīleus, from Latin, cap.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: pi·le·us
Pronunciation: 'pI-lE-&s
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural pi·lei /-lE-"I/
: the convex, concave, or flattened spore-bearing structure of some basidiomycetous fungi that is attached to the top of the stem and typically is expanded with gills or pores on the underside calledalso cap
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Science Dictionary
pileus   (pī'lē-əs)  Pronunciation Key 
Plural pilei (pī'lē-ī')
The umbrellalike fruiting structure forming the top of a fleshy fungus. It is supported by the stipe. The cap of a mushroom is a pileus.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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Encyclopedia

pileus

close-fitting, brimless hat worn by the ancient Romans and copied from the Greek sailor's hat called the pilos. In Roman times the head was generally left uncovered, but commoners and freed slaves sometimes wore the felt pileus

Learn more about pileus with a free trial on Britannica.com.

Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
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