— tapetal , adj.
/teuh pee"teuhm/ , n. , pl. tapeta /-teuh/ .
1. Bot. a layer of cells often investing the archespore in a developing sporangium and absorbed as the spores mature.
2. Anat. , Zool. any of certain membranous layers or layered coverings, as in the choroid of the eyes of certain animals.
[ 1705-15; tapetum coverlet (L, only pl.) tapet- (s. of tápes ) carpet, rug ]