noun, plural ta·pe·ta [tuh–pee-tuh] /təˈpi tə/.
- Botany. a layer of cells often investing the archespore in a developing sporangium and absorbed as the spores mature.
- Anatomy, Zoology. any of certain membranous layers or layered coverings, as in the choroid of the eyes of certain animals.
noun plural -ta (-tə)
- a layer of nutritive cells in the sporangia of ferns and anthers of flowering plants that surrounds developing spore cells
-
- a membranous reflecting layer of cells in the choroid of the eye of nocturnal vertebrates
- a similar structure in the eyes of certain nocturnal insects
- anatomy a covering layer of cells behind the retina of the eye
n.1713, from Medieval Latin tapetum, from Latin tapete “carpet.” n. pl. ta•pe•ta (-tə)
- A membranous layer or region, especially the iridescent membrane of the choroid of certain mammals.
- A layer of fibers of the corpus callosum forming the roof of part of the lateral ventricle of the brain.