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seed coat

American  

noun

Botany.
  1. the outer integument of a seed.


seed coat British  

noun

  1. the nontechnical name for testa

"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

seed coat Scientific  
  1. The outer protective covering of a seed. The seed coat develops from the integument of the ovule.

  2. Also called testa


Etymology

Origin of seed coat

First recorded in 1790–1800

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Their existence suggests not only where the second seed coat came from, but also how carpels came to be, as some of these cupules appear to have modified leaves that could have evolved into carpels.

From Science Magazine • May 26, 2021

Scale bar, 1 mm. b, Representative scanning electron microscopy image showing measurements of inner and outer seed coat layers.

From Nature • Feb. 7, 2017

Upon fertilization, the diploid egg will give rise to the embryo, which is enclosed in a seed coat of tissue from the parent plant.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2015

The medium-size red seeds offer a heartier crunch, thanks to their additional seed coat and a predominant nuttiness.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 12, 2014

When the seed coat is removed or damaged, the innards are exposed to air and begin deteriorating rapidly.

From How and When to Be Your Own Doctor by Solomon, Steve

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