▪ I. ‖ periˈcarpium1 Bot. Now rare.
[mod. (16th c.) L., a. Gr. περικάρπιον.]
= pericarp.
| 1691 Ray Creation i. (1692) 99 Besides this use of the Pulp or Pericarpium for the guard and benefit of the Seed, it serves also..for the..Sustenance of Man and other Animals. 1748 Phil. Trans. XLV. 565 Its Pericarpium is a round dry Capsule, slightly four-corner'd. 1830 Lindley Nat. Syst. Bot. 124 Decandolle considers the rind of the Orange to be of a different origin and nature from the pericarpium of other fruit. 1866 Treas. Bot., Pericarpium, the peridium of certain fungals. |
▪ II. ‖ periˈcarpium2 Med. Obs.
[med. or mod.L., a. Gr. περικάρπιον bracelet, f. περί around + καρπός wrist.]
A plaster applied to the wrist, formerly used as a cure for various affections.
| 1663 Boyle Usef. Exp. Nat. Philos. ii. v. x. 212 Turpentine and Soot,..outwardly applyed are the main Ingredients of Pericarpiums, extoll'd against Agues. 1741 Compl. Fam.-Piece i. i. 80 An often try'd Pericarpium or Wrist-Plaister for Defluxions and Fumes of the Eyes. |