təm noun, plural ta·pe·ta 
[-tuh] .
[-tuh] . 1.
Botany. a layer of cells often investing the archespore in a developing sporangium and absorbed as the spores mature.
2.
Anatomy, Zoology. any of certain membranous layers or layered coverings, as in the choroid of the eyes of certain animals.
Origin:
1705–15; < Neo-Latin, special use of Medieval Latin tapētum coverlet (Latin, only plural) < Greek tapēt- (stem of tápēs) carpet, rug
1705–15; < Neo-Latin, special use of Medieval Latin tapētum coverlet (Latin, only plural) < Greek tapēt- (stem of tápēs) carpet, rug
Related forms
ta·pe·tal, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Link To tapetum
Collins
World English Dictionary
tapetum (təˈpiːtəm) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —n , pl -ta | |
| 1. | a layer of nutritive cells in the sporangia of ferns and anthers of flowering plants that surrounds developing spore cells |
| 2. | a. a membranous reflecting layer of cells in the choroid of the eye of nocturnal vertebrates |
| b. a similar structure in the eyes of certain nocturnal insects | |
| 3. | anatomy a covering layer of cells behind the retina of the eye |
| [C18: from New Latin, from Medieval Latin: covering, from Latin tapēte carpet, from Greek tapēs carpet] | |
| ta'petal | |
| —adj | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
00:10
Tapetum
is always a great word to know.
So is multicellular diploid. Does it mean:
| male reproductive structure which produces gametes in ferns, mosses, fungi and algae |
| organisms having pairs of homologous chromosomes |
American Heritage
Medical Dictionary
tapetum ta·pe·tum (tə-pē'təm)
n. pl. ta·pe·ta (-tə)
A membranous layer or region, especially the iridescent membrane of the choroid of certain mammals.
A layer of fibers of the corpus callosum forming the roof of part of the lateral ventricle of the brain.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
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