apothecium

[ ap-uh-thee-shee-uh m, -see- ]
/ ˌæp əˈθi ʃi əm, -si- /

noun, plural ap·o·the·ci·a [ap-uh-thee-shee-uh, -see-uh] /ˌæp əˈθi ʃi ə, -si ə/. Botany, Mycology.

the fruit of certain lichens and fungi: usually an open, saucer-shaped or cup-shaped body, the inner surface of which is covered with a layer that bears asci.

Origin of apothecium

1820–30; < New Latin < Greek apo- apo- + thēkíon, equivalent to thḗk(ē) case (see theca) + -ion diminutive suffix

OTHER WORDS FROM apothecium

ap·o·the·cial [ap-uh-thee-shuh l] /ˌæp əˈθi ʃəl/, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for apothecia

British Dictionary definitions for apothecia

apothecium
/ (ˌæpəˈθiːsɪəm) /

noun plural -cia (-sɪə)

botany a cup-shaped structure that contains the asci, esp in lichens; a type of ascocarp

Derived forms of apothecium

apothecial (ˌæpəˈθiːsɪəl), adjective

Word Origin for apothecium

C19: from New Latin, from apo- + Greek thēkion a little case

Scientific definitions for apothecia

apothecium
[ ăp′ə-thēsē-əm, -shē- ]

Plural apothecia (ăp′ə-thēsē-ə, -shē-)

A disk-shaped or cup-shaped ascocarp of some lichens and the fungi Ascomycetes.