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endothecium

[en-doh-thee-shee-uh m, -see-uh m]
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.
  3. (in bryophytes) the central mass of cells in the capsule, including the spores and columella.
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Origin of endothecium

First recorded in 1825–35; endo- + thecium
Related formsen·do·the·ci·al [en-doh-thee-shee-uh l, -shuh l, -see-uh l] /ˌɛn doʊˈθi ʃi əl, -ʃəl, -si əl/, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
British Dictionary definitions for endothecium

endothecium

noun plural -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
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Derived Formsendothecial, adjective

Word Origin

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