nucellus

[noo-sel-uh s, nyoo-] /nuˈsɛl əs, nyu-/
noun, plural nucelli
[noo-sel-ahy, nyoo-] /nuˈsɛl aɪ, nyu-/ (Show IPA). Botany
1.
the central cellular mass of the body of the ovule, containing the embryo sac.
Origin
1880-85; < New Latin, equivalent to Latin nuc- (stem of nux) nut + -ella -elle
Related forms
nucellar, adjective
British Dictionary definitions for nucellus

nucellus

/njuːˈsɛləs/
noun (pl) -li (-laɪ)
1.
the central part of a plant ovule containing the embryo sac
Derived Forms
nucellar, adjective
Word Origin
C19: New Latin, from Latin nucella, from nux nut
nucellus in Science
nucellus
  (n-sěl'əs)   
Plural nucelli (n-sěl'ī)
The megasporangium of a seed-bearing plant, located in the ovule. In angiosperms, it is the central portion of the ovule in which the embryo sac develops. In some cases of apomixis (production of seeds without fertilization), cells of the nucellus develop into an embryo.