‖ cyˈstidium Bot.
Pl. -ia.
[mod.L., repr. Gr. type *κυστίδιον, dim. of κύστις bladder: in mod.F. cystidion: sometimes anglicized cystide.]
1. Link's name for a 1-celled, indehiscent, superior, membranous, apocarpous fruit; = utriculus.
2. One of the projecting cells originating among the basidia of hymenomycetous fungi, and supposed to be sterile basidia.
| 1858 Carpenter Veg. Phys. §778 These..cystidia have been supposed to have the nature of antheridia; but this is uncertain. 1881 Gard. Chron. No. 403. 369 Cystidia are distinctly hyaline and glutinous bodies. |