Tapetum, tā-pē′tum, n. (bot.) the cells on the outside of an archesporium: the pigmentary layer of the retina:—pl. Tā′peta. [L. tapete—Gr. tapēs, tapētos, a carpet.]
Tapeworm, tāp′wurm, n. a term sometimes used as a popular synonym for Cestoda or Cestoid Worms, but especially for those which belong to the families Tæniadæ and Bothriocephalidæ.
Tapioca, tap-i-ō′ka, n. a farinaceous substance obtained from cassava or manioc by drying it while moist on hot plates, so that the starch grains swell or burst, and the whole agglomerates in small lumps. [Braz. tipioka, the poisonous juice of the cassava.]
Tapir, tā′pir, n. a genus of Ungulata, of the section Perissodactyla, thick-skinned, short-necked, with a short flexible proboscis, found in South America.—adjs. Tapir′odont, having teeth like the tapir; Tap′iroid, related to the tapirs. [Braz.]
Tapis, tap′is, or ta-pē′, n. tapestry, carpeting: formerly, the cover of a council-table.—vs.i. (obs.) Tap′pish, Tap′pice, to hide.—Upon the tapis, on the table: under consideration. [Fr.]
Tappet, tap′et, n. (Spens.) tapestry.
Tappet, tap′et, n. a projecting arm, lever, &c. from any moving part of a machine supplying intermittent motion to some other part.—ns. Tapp′et-loom, -mo′tion, -ring, -rod, &c.
Tappit, tap′it, adj. (Scot.) having a top or crest.—n. Tapp′it-hen, a crested hen: a vessel for liquor holding about three quarts, a liberal allowance of drink generally.
Tapsalteerie, tap-sal-tē′ri, adj. (Scot.) topsy-turvy.—Also Tapsieteer′ie.
Tapsman, taps′man, n. (Scot.) a servant with principal charge, the chief of a company of drovers.