noun ·Rare ·Advanced level

Definitions

Noun

1. 1
   A compact mass of hardened mycelium stored with reserve food material that, in some higher fungi such as ergot, becomes detached and remains dormant until a favourable opportunity for growth occurs.
2. 2
   compact usually dark-colored mass of hardened mycelium constituting a vegetative food-storage body in various true fungi; detaches when mature and can give rise to new growth wordnet

Synonyms

All synonyms

genus sclerotiumsclerote

Etymology

From New Latin sclerotium, from Ancient Greek σκληρός (sklērós, “hard”).

Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.