pileus

[ pahy-lee-uhs, pil-ee- ]

noun,plural pi·le·i

[pahy-lee-ahy, pil-ee-ahy] /ˈpaɪ liˌaɪ, ˈpɪl iˌaɪ/ for 1, 2, 4, pi·le·us for 3.

Mycology. the horizontal portion of a mushroom, bearing gills, tubes, etc., on its underside; a cap.
Zoology.
- the umbrella or bell of a jellyfish.
- pileum.

Also called cap cloud, scarf cloud. Meteorology. a small, thin cloud just above or attached to a growing cumulus cloud.
a felt skullcap worn by the ancient Romans and Greeks.

Origin of pileus

1750–60; <New Latin, special use of Latin pīleus skullcap; akin to Greek pîlos felt, felt cap

Words Nearby pileus

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use pileus in a sentence

pileus: At first globular, its edge connected to stem by the veil; then round convex, at length becoming possibly almost flat.
Our Edible Toadstools and Mushrooms and How to Distinguish Them | William Hamilton Gibson
pileus: Expansion two to four inches; color varying from pale bright pink to deep scarlet; very smooth.
Our Edible Toadstools and Mushrooms and How to Distinguish Them | William Hamilton Gibson
Average diameter of extended pileus of each of these species about three and one-half inches; veil absent in each.
Our Edible Toadstools and Mushrooms and How to Distinguish Them | William Hamilton Gibson
pileus: Firm, solid; greenish or pinkish-gray; at first convex, with flat top, ultimately rising from centre to rim.
Our Edible Toadstools and Mushrooms and How to Distinguish Them | William Hamilton Gibson
pileus: In shape like above, varying in color from bright red to dull, subdued purplish, with a distinct bloom.
Our Edible Toadstools and Mushrooms and How to Distinguish Them | William Hamilton Gibson

British Dictionary definitions for pileus

pileus

/ (ˈpaɪlɪəs, ˈpɪl-) /

nounplural -lei (-lɪˌaɪ)

the upper cap-shaped part of a mushroom or similar spore-producing body

Origin of pileus

C18 (botanical use): New Latin, from Latin: felt cap

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 pileus

pileus

[ pī′lē-əs ]

Plural pilei (pī′lē-ī′)

The umbrellalike fruiting structure forming the top of a fleshy fungus. It is supported by the stipe. The cap of a mushroom is a pileus.

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