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tapetum

Pronunciation: /təˈpiːtəm/
Definition of tapetum

noun

Zoology
  • a reflective layer of the choroid in the eyes of many animals, causing them to shine in the dark.

Origin:

early 18th century: from late Latin, from Latin tapete 'carpet'

tapetum in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of tapetum in the US English dictionary
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