Pronunciation: ˌ a-p ə - ' th ē -sh ē - ə m, -s ē -
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural -cia \ -sh ē - ə , -s ē - \
Etymology: New Latin, from Latin apotheca
Date: 1830
: a spore-bearing structure in many lichens and fungi consisting of a discoid or cupped body bearing asci on the exposed flat or concave surface
– apo · the · cial \ -sh( ē -) ə l, -s ē - ə l \ adjective