ˈsterēˌōm, ˈstir- noun
or stere·om -ēˌäm
( -s )
Etymology: German stereom, from Greek stereōma solid body, from stereoun to make solid, from stereos solid — more at stare
: mechanical or strengthening tissue:
a. : rigid cellular tissue (as sclerenchyma and collenchyma) of a plant — compare mestome
b. : exoskeletal material of an invertebrate