Stroma

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Stroma \Stro"ma\, n.; pl. {Stromata}. [L., a bed covering, Gr. ?
     a couch or bed.]
     1. (Anat.)
        (a) The connective tissue or supporting framework of an
            organ; as, the stroma of the kidney.
        (b) The spongy, colorless framework of a red blood


            corpuscle or other cell.
            [1913 Webster]
  
     2. (Bot.) A layer or mass of cellular tissue, especially that
        part of the thallus of certain fungi which incloses the
        perithecia.
        [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  stroma
       n 1: the dense colorless framework of a chloroplast
       2: the supporting tissue of an organ (as opposed to parenchyma)
       [also: {stromata} (pl)]