cyphella

noun

cy·phel·la

sə̇ˈfelə,

sīˈ-

plural cyphellae

-(ˌ)lē

: a small cuplike pit on the lower surface of the thallus of certain lichens (as those of the genus Sticta) probably functioning as a pore

capitalized : a genus of cup-shaped basidiomycetous fungi (family Thelephoraceae) having the hymenial lining on the inner surface

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Greek kyphella, plural, hollows of the ears; akin to Old English hūfe head covering, Old High German hūba, Old Saxon hūva, Old Norse hūfa hood, cap, bonnet, Greek kyphos crooked, bent, Old Russian kubŭ drinking vessel, Old English hēah high