tectum

T1E1C3T1U1M3
/ˈtɛk.təm/

noun

The dorsal portion of the midbrain of vertebrates; in mammals, containing the superior colliculus and inferior colliculus

OriginLatin tēctum ← Proto-Italic *tektos ← Proto-Indo-European *(s)tégeti →
UncommonScrabble 10
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Meanings

nountectum (plural tecta)

plural tecta

  1. anatomyThe dorsal portion of the midbrain of vertebrates; in mammals, containing the superior colliculus and inferior colliculus
  2. The interconnected outer surface of a spore.

Origin

  1. Proto-Indo-European*(s)teg-
  2. Proto-Indo-European*(s)tégeti
  3. Proto-Italic*tektos
  4. Latintēctum
  5. Englishtectum

From Latin tēctum (“roof”), from tegō (“to cover”), cognate with Ancient Greek τέγος (tégos, “roof; covered room”). Doublet of tect.

More words from Latin

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Finnish keskiaivojen katto
  • keskiaivojen kattoportion of the midbrain
Polish pokrywa śródmózgowia
  • pokrywa śródmózgowiaportion of the midbrain
Cite this entry
APA

tectum. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/tectum

MLA

“tectum.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/tectum. Accessed November 2, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “tectum,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/tectum.

Source: tectum on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.