n.
Pronunciation: ˌ e-p ə - ' th ē -l ē - ə m
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural -lia \ -l ē - ə \
Etymology: New Latin, from epi- + Greek th ē l ē nipple ― more at FEMININE
Date: 1748
1 : a membranous cellular tissue that covers a free surface or lines a tube or cavity of an animal body and serves especially to enclose and protect the other parts of the body, to produce secretions and excretions, and to function in assimilation
2 : a usually thin layer of parenchyma that lines a cavity or tube of a plant