‖ testa
(ˈtɛstə)
[L. testa a tile, earthen pot, shard, shell, etc.: see test n.2]
1. Bot. The skin or coating of a seed.
| 1796 De Serra in Phil. Trans. LXXXVI. 500 (Fruct. of Algæ), Their very viscous albumen answers..all the purposes the testa accomplishes in other eggs. 1807 J. E. Smith Phys. Bot. 294 Testa, the Skin, contains all the parts of a seed above described. 1877 Huxley & Martin Elem. Biol. 86 Carefully peel off the outer coat (testa) of the seed. |
† 2. Zool. The shell of certain invertebrates: = test n.2 2 a. Obs. rare.
| 1847 in Webster. |