perithecium

[ per-uh-thee-shee-uhm, -shuhm, -see-uhm ]

noun,plural per·i·the·ci·a [per-uh-thee-shee-uh, -shuh, -see-uh]. /ˌpɛr əˈθi ʃi ə, -ʃə, -si ə/. Mycology.
  1. the fruiting body of ascomycetous fungi, typically a minute, more or less completely closed, globose or flask-shaped body enclosing the asci.

Origin of perithecium

1
From New Latin, dating back to 1825–35; see origin at peri-, thecium

Other words from perithecium

  • per·i·the·ci·al, adjective

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

British Dictionary definitions for perithecium

perithecium

/ (ˌpɛrɪˈθiːsɪəm) /


nounplural -cia (-sɪə)
  1. botany a flask-shaped structure containing asci that are discharged from an apical pore; a type of ascocarp

Origin of perithecium

1
C19: from New Latin, from peri- + Greek thēkē case

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

Scientific definitions for perithecium

perithecium

[ pĕr′ə-thēshē-əm, -sē-əm ]


Plural perithecia
  1. A small flask-shaped fruiting body in some ascomycete fungi that encloses the asci (spore sacs).

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.