Main Entry: apo·the·ci·um

Pronunciation: \ˌa-pə-ˈthē-shē-əm, -sē-\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural -cia\-shē-ə, -sē-\

Etymology: New Latin, from Latin apotheca

Date: 1830

: a spore-bearing structure in many lichens and fungi consisting of a discoid or cupped body bearing asci on the exposed flat or concave surface

— apo·the·cial \-sh(ē-)əl, -sē-əl\ adjective