endothecium

[ en-doh-thee-shee-uhm, -see-uhm ]

noun

, Botany.

, plural en·do·the·ci·a [en-doh-, thee, -shee-, uh, -see-, uh].

1. the lining of the cavity of an anther.
2. (in mosses) the central mass of cells in the rudimentary capsule, from which the archespore is generally developed.
3. (in bryophytes) the central mass of cells in the capsule, including the spores and columella.

endothecium

/ -sɪəm; ˌɛndəʊˈθiːʃɪəm /

noun

1. the inner mass of cells of the developing capsule in mosses
2. the fibrous tissue of the inner wall of an anther

Derived Forms

• ˌendoˈthecial, adjective

Other Words From

• en·do·the·ci·al [en-doh-, thee, -shee-, uh, l, -sh, uh, l, -see-, uh, l], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of endothecium¹

First recorded in 1825–35; endo- + thecium

Word History and Origins

Origin of endothecium¹

C19: New Latin, from endo- + Greek thēkion case; see theca