‖ urceolus
(ɜːˈsiːələs)
[L., dim. of urceus pitcher.]
(See quots. 1866–86.)
| 1832 Lindley Introd. Bot. 104 The true nature of the urceolus. 1845 Encycl. Metrop. XXV. 1006/1 Corolla [of Vahia] urceolate; ovarium girded by an entire urceolus. 1866 Treas. Bot. 1193/2 Urceolus, the two confluent bracts of Carex; any flask-shaped or cup-shaped anomalous organ. 1886 Encycl. Brit. XXI. 4/2 Several genera [of Rotifera] present an external casing or sheath or tube which is termed an ‘urceolus’. Ibid. 5/1 The urceolus serves as a defence. |