n.
Pronunciation: skl ə - ' r ō -sh( ē -) ə m
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural -tia \ -sh( ē -) ə \
Etymology: New Latin, from Greek *skl ē r ō tos
Date: 1871
: a compact mass of hardened mycelium stored with reserve food material that in some higher fungi becomes detached and remains dormant until a favorable opportunity for growth occurs
– scle · ro · tial \ - ' r ō -sh ə l \ adjective