a compact mass of hyphae, that is formed by certain fungi and gives rise to new fungal growth or spore-producing structures
Derived forms
sclerotioid (scleˈrotioid) or sclerotial (scleˈrotial)
adjective
Word origin
C18: from New Latin, from Greek sklēros hard
sclerotium in American English
(sklɪˈroʊʃiəm)
nounWord forms: pluralscleˈrotia (sklɪˈroʊʃiə)
in various fungi, a hardened, black or reddish-brown mass of threads in which food material is stored and which is capable of remaining dormant for long periods