— epiphragmal /ep'euh frag"meuhl/ , adj.
/ep"euh fram'/ , n.
1. a calcified or membranous septum produced by certain land snails during hibernation and functioning to cover the shell opening and prevent desiccation.
2. Bot. a membrane enclosing the capsule in certain mosses.
[ 1820-30; epíphragma covering, lid, equiv. to epi- EPI- + phrágma fence ]