sclerenchyma noun. [sklɪǝ'rɛŋkɪmǝ, sklǝ-] M19.
[mod. Latin, formed as SCLERO-, after parenchyma.]
1. Zoology. The hard calcareous substance of the skeleton of a stony coral. rare. Only in M19.
2. Botany. Strengthening tissue with thick or lignified secondary walls, consisting of long cells (fibres) and chiefly short cells (sclereids). L19.

■ sclerenchymatous [-'kɪmǝtǝs] adjective (now only Botany) consisting or of the nature of sclerenchyma M19.

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