operculum

Meaning

1. A covering flap in animals, such as a gill cover.
2. The lidlike portion of a moss sporangium or of a fruit that detaches to allow the dispersal of spores or seeds.
3. 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. One of several flaps of cerebral cortex covering the insula.

Synonyms

gill cover

Translations

opercle

opercule

opercolo

opérculo

opérculo

Pronounced as (IPA)

/əʊˈpɜː.kjʊ.ləm/

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin operculum.