achene

or a·kene

[ ey-keen, uh-keen ]
/ eɪˈkin, əˈkin /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR achene ON THESAURUS.COM

noun Botany.

any small, dry, hard, one-seeded, indehiscent fruit.

Origin of achene

1835–45; < New Latin achaenium, equivalent to a- a-6 + Greek chain- (stem of chaínein to gape) + Latin -ium -ium

OTHER WORDS FROM achene

a·che·ni·al [ey-kee-nee-uh l, uh-kee-] /eɪˈki ni əl, əˈki-/, adjective

Words nearby achene

acheilary, acheilia, acheiria, acheiropody, achelous, achene, achenese, achernar, acheron, acheson, acheulean

Words related to achene

kernel, stone, caryopsis, utricle

Example sentences from the Web for achene

British Dictionary definitions for achene

achene

akene

/ (əˈkiːn) /

noun

a dry one-seeded indehiscent fruit with the seed distinct from the fruit wall. It may be smooth, as in the buttercup, or feathery, as in clematis

Derived forms of achene

achenial or akenial, adjective

Word Origin for achene

C19: from New Latin achaenium that which does not yawn or open, from a- 1 + Greek khainein to yawn

Scientific definitions for achene

achene

A small, dry, one-seeded fruit in which the seed sits free inside the hollow fruit, attached only by the stem of the ovule. Achenes are indehiscent (they do not split open when ripe). The fruits of the sunflower and elm are achenes.