in|du|si|um

in|du|si|um «ihn DOO zee uhm, -DYOO-; -zhee-», noun, plural -si|a.

1. Botany. a) the membranous shield or scale covering the cluster of spore cases (sorus) of a fern. b) a cuplike collection of hairs enclosing the stigma in certain plants.

2. Anatomy. a covering layer or membrane, especially the amnion.

3. the covering of a larval insect.

╂[< Latin indūsium tunic < induere to put on]