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Glite Dictionary
dewcap

dewcap

1 9.9
A small cap that covers a moss capsule to protect young spores
  • noun
  • Specialized
: cobertura de musgo
  • Without its dewcap, the moss capsule would be exposed to harsh environmental conditions.

Examples

  • The dewcap protects the spores from harsh weather.

  • Many species of moss have a dewcap covering their capsules.

  • The dewcap falls off as the moss capsule matures and releases its spores.

  • Scientists observed the dewcap protecting the young spores during their study of moss reproduction.

  • The dewcap at the top of the moss helps shield developing spores from harsh weather.

  • In spring, the dewcap forms a protective covering over the vibrant moss capsules.

  • When observing moss, note how the dewcap acts as a shield for the spores inside.

Surface Forms

dewcap singular
dewcaps plural

Morphology

dewcap = dew + cap (semi-transparent) = dew + cap

The components 'dew' and 'cap' are recognizable and form a compound, but the specific botanical sense (a cap-like structure covering moss capsules) is specialized and not fully inferable by a general learner.

Etymology

Dewcap comes from dew ('drops of water') and cap ('hat'), so imagine a tiny hat sitting on a moss capsule. That's why a dewcap is the small cap-like part that covers and protects the developing spores until they are ready.