pleroma

plural pleromas

1. countableuncountablebiologyA plant of the genus Pleroma.
2. archaiccountableobsoleterareuncountablebiologySynonym of plerome (“the central portion of the apical meristem in a growing plant root or stem which, according to the histogen theory, gives rise to the endodermis and stele”).

   In the pleroma of hyacinth and pea roots, t#95;#123;min#125; increases along the meristem, especially in its basal part[…].

   2001, Russian Journal of Developmental Biology: A Journal of Original Papers and Reviews on Developmental and Cell Biology, volume 32, Moscow: Pleiades Publishing, →ISSN, →OCLC, page 205, column 1

   2 more examples

   In his [Jakob Eriksson's] investigations of the meristem (the tissue from which the permanent tissues are formed) by dicotyledonous roots he found four types of growth, […] In the second type only two separate meristem tissues are present in the tips of the roots; a pleroma and a common tissue, from which the primary bark and epidermis and root-cap proceed.

   1876 December 9, “[Punctum vegetationis, or Growing Point of Dicotyledonous Roots]”, in The Gardeners’ Chronicle. A Weekly Illustrated Journal of Horticulture and Allied Subjects, volume VI (New Series), number 154, London: Bradbury, Agnew, & Co., […], →OCLC, page 750, column 1

   [I]n the pleroma of the primary meristem of roots there is not only cambium (persistent parenchyma) and procambium (forerunner of fibres and vessels), but pericambium—i.e., a special outer layer of the plerome that remains for a long time as meristem.

   1890 August 22, Edward Aveling, “Botany for Students. Chapter XXII.—The Root.”, in The English Mechanic and World of Science and Art. […], volume LI, number 1326, London: […] E[beneezer] J. Kibblewhite, […], →OCLC, page 543, column 2

   Synonyms: plerome

3. countableuncountableChristianityA state of perfect fullness, especially of God's being as incarnated in Jesus Christ.

   And is all this Cabala too, and only to be uſed when People are to be gulled with noiſy Nothings? i.e. with empty Pleroma's, and ſilent Thunderclaps.

   1697 May 5 (date written; Gregorian calendar), E. W. [i.e., Edward Stillingfleet], “Postscript”, in The Bishop of Worcester’s Answer to Mr. [John] Locke’s Letter, Concerning Some Passages Relating to His Essay of Humane Understanding, […], London: […] J. H. for Henry Mortlock […], published 1697, →OCLC, page 143

alternative Pleroma

1. historicalGnosticismOften preceded by the: the spiritual universe seen as the totality of the essence and powers of God.

   There is a way to comprehend the gnostic's giant onion of a world, the concentric circles, with the Pleroma beckoning there, the white heart of light, the source of that primal vision which for a second or two can recapture paradise.

   1974, Lawrence Durrell, “Macabru”, in Monsieur (The Avignon Quintet; 1), New York, N.Y.: Viking Press, published 1975, →ISBN, page 131

1. historicalGnosticismAlternative letter-case form of pleroma (“the spiritual universe seen as the totality of the essence and powers of God”).