operculum

Fetched 2026-10-26 (cache).

Synonyms: speculum, periculum, opercular, opercula, opusculum, operculums, operculi, operculi-, opercule

Antonyms: speculum, periculum, opercular, opercula, opusculum, operculums, operculi, operculi-, opercule

Related words from Datamuse; suggestions, not definitions.

Noun

1. {{lb|en|zoology}} A covering [[flap]] in animals and insects, such as a [[gill cover]] or the lid of [[nits]].
2. {{lb|en|botany}} The [[lidlike]] portion of a [[moss]] [[sporangium]] or of a [[fruit]] that [[detach]]es to allow the dispersal of [[spore]]s or [[seed]]s.
3. {{lb|en|dentistry}} A [[gum]] [[flap]] covering (part of) a partially erupted tooth, usually a [[wisdom tooth]].
4. A structure which serves as a [[cover]] or [[lid]].
5. {{lb|en|anatomy}} One of several flaps of [[cerebral cortex]] covering the [[insula]]. {{rfclarify|en}}<!--see brain picture and disambiguation page on Wikipedia-->

Source: Wiktionary · CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wiktionary dump) · cached copy, not a rewrite.