perithecium

noun

peri·​the·​ci·​um ˌper-ə-ˈthē-shē-əm 

-sē-

plural perithecia ˌper-ə-ˈthē-shē-ə 

-sē-

: a spherical, cylindrical, or flask-shaped hollow fruiting body in various ascomycetous fungi that contains the asci and usually opens by a terminal pore

perithecial

ˌper-ə-ˈthē-sh(ē-)əl 

-sē-əl

adjective

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from peri- + Greek thēkion, diminutive of thēkē case — more at tick

First Known Use

1800, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

perithecium

noun

peri·​the·​ci·​um -ˈthē-sē-əm 

plural perithecia -sē-ə 

: a spherical, cylindrical, or flask-shaped hollow fruiting body in various ascomycetous fungi that contains the asci, usually opens by a terminal pore, and sometimes includes the cleistothecium