n, pl  -lia   :  the mass of interwoven filamentous hyphae that forms esp. the vegetative body of a fungus and is often submerged in another body (as of soil or organic matter or the tissues of a host) : also  :  a similar mass of filaments formed by some bacteria (as of the genus Streptomyces) .
 
 
 
Published under license with Merriam-Webster, Incorporated.  © 1997-2026.