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peridium

[puh-rid-ee-uh m]
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noun, plural pe·rid·e·a [puh-rid-ee-uh] /pəˈrɪd i ə/. Mycology.
  1. the outer enveloping coat of the fruit body in many fungi.
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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. 2018

Examples from the Web for peridium

Historical Examples

  • The peridium is globe-shaped, sessile, without a stem-like base.

    The Mushroom, Edible and Otherwise

    M. E. Hard

  • The peridium is round or conical and it dehisces by breaking away at the base.

  • The peridium breaks in various ways to permit the spores to escape.

  • The capillitium and fragment of the peridium of the same species, 380.

    The North American Slime-Moulds

    Thomas H. (Thomas Huston) MacBride

  • The opening of a peridium, when ripe, to discharge the spores.

    Among the Mushrooms

    Ellen M. Dallas and Caroline A. Burgin

British Dictionary definitions for peridium

peridium

noun plural -ridia (-ˈrɪdɪə)
  1. the distinct outer layer of the spore-bearing organ in many fungi
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Word Origin

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