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.

the lining of the cavity of an anther.

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

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

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. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for endothecium

endothecium

noun plural -cia (-ʃɪə, -sɪə) botany

the inner mass of cells of the developing capsule in mosses

the fibrous tissue of the inner wall of an anther

Derived Formsendothecial, adjective

Word Origin for endothecium

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

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