n.
Pronunciation: skl ə - ' re ŋ -k ə -m ə
Function: noun
Etymology: New Latin
Date: 1875
: a protective or supporting tissue in higher plants composed of cells with walls thickened and often lignified
– scler · en · chy · ma · tous \ ˌ skler- ə n- ' ki-m ə -t ə s, - ' k ī - \ adjective