noun
1. : any of various tissues of mesodermal origin having abundant intercellular substance or interlacing processes and showing little tendency for the constituent cells to aggregate in sheets or masses — compare epithelium
2. : connective tissue made up of stellate or spindle-shaped cells with interlacing processes that pervades, supports, and binds together other tissues and organs and forms ligaments, tendons, and aponeuroses — compare adipose tissue , areolar tissue , elastic tissue , white fibrous tissue