amphithecium

noun

am·​phi·​the·​ci·​um

plural amphithecia

-ēə

1

: the external layer of cells surrounding the sporogenous tissue in the sporangium of a moss

2

: the inner layer of the perithecium next to the hymenium in certain lichens

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from amphi- + -thecium

First Known Use

1872, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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