1 tapeta | Definition of tapeta
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tapetum

noun
ta·​pe·​tum | \ tÉ™-ˈpÄ“-tÉ™m How to pronounce tapetum (audio) \
plural tapeta\ tÉ™-​ˈpÄ“-​tÉ™ How to pronounce tapeta (audio) \

Definition of tapetum

1 : any of various reflective membranous layers or areas especially of the choroid and retina of the eye
2 : a layer of nutritive cells that invests the sporogenous tissue in the sporangium of vascular plants

Examples of tapetum in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

 Some creatures, including cats, raccoons, and dogs, have a layer of reflective tissue in their eyes known as the tapetum lucidum. — Matt Simon, WIRED, "Fantastically Wrong: Why So Many People Think They’ve Seen Ghost Dogs With Glowing Eyes," 14 Jan. 2015

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'tapetum.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of tapetum

1713, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for tapetum

New Latin, from Latin tapete carpet, tapestry, from Greek tapēt-, tapēs carpet

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More Definitions for tapetum

tapetum

noun
ta·​pe·​tum | \ tÉ™-ˈpÄ“t-É™m How to pronounce tapetum (audio) \
plural tapeta\ -​ˈpÄ“t-​É™ How to pronounce tapeta (audio) \

Medical Definition of tapetum

1 : any of various membranous layers or areas especially of the choroid and retina of the eye specifically : tapetum lucidum
2 : a layer of nerve fibers derived from the corpus callosum and forming part of the roof of each lateral ventricle of the brain

More from Merriam-Webster on tapetum

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about tapetum

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