thallus

1 of 2

noun

thal·​lus ˈtha-ləs 

plural thalli ˈtha-ˌlī  -ˌlē  or thalluses

: a plantlike vegetative body (as of algae, fungi, or mosses) that lacks differentiation into distinct parts (such as stem, leaves, and roots) and does not grow from an apical point

thall-

2 of 2

combining form

variants or thalli- or thallo-

1

: a young shoot : thallus

Thallophyta

thallium

thalliform

2

: thallium

thallic

Word History

Etymology

Noun

New Latin, from Greek thallos, from thallein to sprout; akin to Armenian dalar green, fresh, Albanian dal I come forth

Combining form

New Latin, from Greek thall-, thallo-, from thallos

First Known Use

Noun

1829, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for thallus

• allis
• balas
• callous
• callus
• chalice
• gallus
• malice
• malus
• palace
• pallas
• phallus
• talis

Medical Definition

thallus

noun

thal·​lus ˈthal-əs 

plural thalli ˈthal-ˌī  -ˌē  or thalluses

: a plant or plantlike body (as of an alga, fungus, or moss) that lacks differentiation into distinct members (as stem, leaves, and roots) and does not grow from an apical point