Cap"sule (?), n. [L. capsula
a little box or chest, fr. capsa chest, case, fr.
capere to take, contain: cf. F. capsule.]
1. (Bot.) a dry fruit or pod which is
made up of several parts or carpels, and opens to discharge the
seeds, as, the capsule of the poppy, the flax, the lily,
etc.
2. (Chem.) (a) A
small saucer of clay for roasting or melting samples of ores,
etc.; a scorifier. (b) a small,
shallow, evaporating dish, usually of porcelain.
3. (Med.) A small cylindrical or
spherical gelatinous envelope in which nauseous or acrid doses
are inclosed to be swallowed.
4. (Anat.) A membranous sac
containing fluid, or investing an organ or joint; as, the
capsule of the lens of the eye. Also, a capsulelike
organ.
5. A metallic seal or cover for closing a
bottle.
6. A small cup or shell, as of metal, for
a percussion cap, cartridge, etc.
Atrabiliary capsule. See under
Atrabiliary. -- Glisson's capsule,
a membranous envelope, entering the liver along with the
portal vessels and insheathing the latter in their course through
the organ. -- Suprarenal capsule, an
organ of unknown function, above or in front of each
kidney.
