pileus

pi·le·us  (pl-s)

n. pl. pi·le·i (-l-)

1. Botany The umbrellalike fruiting structure forming the top of a stalked fleshy fungus, such as a mushroom; the cap.

2. A brimless round skullcap worn by ancient Romans.

3. See caul.

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[New Latin pleus, from Latin, cap.]

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pileus  (pl-s)

Plural pilei (pl-)

The umbrellalike fruiting structure forming the top of a fleshy fungus. It is supported by the stipe. The cap of a mushroom is a pileus.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

pileus - a fruiting structure resembling an umbrella or a cone that forms the top of a stalked fleshy fungus such as a mushroom cap fungus - an organism of the kingdom Fungi lacking chlorophyll and feeding on organic matter; ranging from unicellular or multicellular organisms to spore-bearing syncytia plant part, plant structure - any part of a plant or fungus