Operculum

Definitions

1. A covering flap in animals, such as a gill cover.
2. The lidlike portion of a moss sporangium or of a fruit that detaches to allow the dispersal of spores or seeds.
3. A gum flap covering (part of) a partially erupted tooth, usually a wisdom tooth.
4. A structure which serves as a cover or lid.
5. One of several flaps of cerebral cortex covering the insula.

Equivalents

Examples

“Hyoliths […] have⟳ a small, conical calcium carbonate shell, with a lid called an operculum.”

“I lifted the circular operculum from its place⟳ and laid it carefully on the bale.”

CEFR level