[stro.ma] n, pl stro.ma.ta [NL stromat-, stroma, fr. L, bed covering, fr. Gk stromat-, stroma, fr. stornynai to spread out--more at strew] (1832) 1 a: a compact mass of fungal hyphae producing perithecia or pycnidia b: the colorless proteinaceous matrix of a chloroplast in which the chlorophyll-containing lamellae are embedded
2. a: the supporting framework of an animal organ typically consisting of connective tissue b: the spongy protoplasmic framework of some cells (as a red blood cell) -- stro.mal adj