tapetum

[ tuh-pee-tuhm ]

noun

, plural ta·pe·ta [t, uh, -, pee, -t, uh].

1. Botany. a layer of cells often investing the archespore in a developing sporangium and absorbed as the spores mature.
2. Anatomy, Zoology. any of certain membranous layers or layered coverings, as in the choroid of the eyes of certain animals.

tapetum

/ təˈpiːtəm /

noun

1. a layer of nutritive cells in the sporangia of ferns and anthers of flowering plants that surrounds developing spore cells
2. 1. a membranous reflecting layer of cells in the choroid of the eye of nocturnal vertebrates
   2. a similar structure in the eyes of certain nocturnal insects
3. anatomy a covering layer of cells behind the retina of the eye

Derived Forms

• taˈpetal, adjective

Other Words From

• ta·petal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of tapetum¹

1705–15; < New Latin, special use of Medieval Latin tapētum coverlet ( Latin, only plural) < Greek tapēt- (stem of tápēs ) carpet, rug

Word History and Origins

Origin of tapetum¹

C18: from New Latin, from Medieval Latin: covering, from Latin tapēte carpet, from Greek tapēs carpet

Example Sentences

The subject, however, of the various colours of the tapetum in different animals is not yet understood.

From Project Gutenberg

Iris tapetum: the pigment layer of the compound eye just below the crystalline cone.

From Project Gutenberg

The tapetum lucidum is found in Ungulata, Cetacea and Carnivora.

From Project Gutenberg