catkin

[ kat-kin ]
/ ˈkæt kɪn /

noun Botany.

a spike of unisexual, apetalous flowers having scaly, usually deciduous bracts, as of a willow or birch.
Also called ament.

Origin of catkin

First recorded in 1570–80, catkin is from the Dutch word katteken little cat (now obsolete). See cat, -kin

OTHER WORDS FROM catkin

cat·kin·ate [kat-kuh-neyt] /ˈkæt kəˌneɪt/, adjective

Words nearby catkin

catiline, cation, cation exchange, cation-exchange resin, cationic detergent, catkin, catlike, catlin, catling, catmint, catnap

Example sentences from the Web for catkin

British Dictionary definitions for catkin

catkin
/ (ˈkætkɪn) /

noun

an inflorescence consisting of a spike, usually hanging, of much reduced flowers of either sex: occurs in birch, hazel, etc Also called: ament

Word Origin for catkin

C16: from obsolete Dutch katteken kitten, identical in meaning with French chaton, German Kätzchen

Scientific definitions for catkin

catkin
[ kăt′kĭn ]

A long, thin, indeterminate inflorescence of tiny, petalless flowers growing on willows, birches, oaks, poplars, and certain other trees. The flowers on a catkin are either all male or all female. The female flowers are usually pollinated by the wind. Also called ament See illustration at inflorescence.