seed coat

American  

noun

Botany.

1. the outer integument of a seed.

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seed coat British  

noun

1. the nontechnical name for testa

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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

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Etymology

Origin of seed coat

First recorded in 1790–1800

Example Sentences

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, 30 μm c, Thickness of the internal seed coat layer in bitter and sweet lines. d, Thickness of the external seed coat layer in bitter and sweet lines.

From Nature • Feb. 7, 2017

The seed is covered by a seed coat, which is derived from the female sporophyte.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2015

Black quinoa seeds, the smallest of the three, have the thickest seed coat.

From Seattle Times • Feb. 12, 2014

And the seed coat still keeps its shape, most people think it a seed still, and for all one knows it may still think itself a seed, vigorous and alive.

From When the Sleeper Wakes by Wells, H. G. (Herbert George)