peridium

[puh-rid-ee-uh m]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR peridium ON THESAURUS.COM

noun, plural pe·rid·e·a [puh-rid-ee-uh] /pəˈrɪd i ə/. Mycology.

the outer enveloping coat of the fruit body in many fungi.

RELATED WORDS

rind, layer, bark

Origin of peridium

1815–25; < New Latin < German pērídion, diminutive of pḗra wallet; see -idium

Related formspe·rid·i·al, adjectivepe·rid·i·i·form

[puh-rid-ee-uh-fawrm] /pəˈrɪd i əˌfɔrm/, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for peridium

The opening of a peridium, when ripe, to discharge the spores.
Among the Mushrooms|Ellen M. Dallas and Caroline A. Burgin
The peridium is round or conical and it dehisces by breaking away at the base.
The Mushroom, Edible and Otherwise|M. E. Hard
The capillitium and fragment of the peridium of the same species, 380.
The North American Slime-Moulds|Thomas H. (Thomas Huston) MacBride
The peridium is round, often slightly depressed above, plicate below, where it is abruptly contracted into a long stem-like base.
The Mushroom, Edible and Otherwise|M. E. Hard

The threads, or capillitium, which bear the spores proceed from the walls of the peridium and form the central columella.
The Mushroom, Edible and Otherwise|M. E. Hard

British Dictionary definitions for peridium

peridium

noun plural -ridia (-ˈrɪdɪə)

the distinct outer layer of the spore-bearing organ in many fungi

Word Origin for peridium

C19: from Greek pēridion a little wallet, from pēra leather bag, of obscure origin

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