dendrite

[ den-drahyt ]
/ ˈdɛn draɪt /

noun

Petrology, Mineralogy.
  1. a branching figure or marking, resembling moss or a shrub or tree in form, found on or in certain stones or minerals due to the presence of a foreign material.
  2. any arborescent crystalline growth.
Anatomy. the branching process of a neuron that conducts impulses toward the cell.

Origin of dendrite

1720–30; < Greek dendrī́tēs pertaining to a tree, equivalent to dendr- dendr- + -ītēs -ite1

Words nearby dendrite

dendr-, dendra, dendri-, dendriform, dendrimer, dendrite, dendritic, dendritic calculus, dendritic cell, dendritic corneal ulcer, dendritic keratitis

Example sentences from the Web for dendrite

British Dictionary definitions for dendrite

dendrite
/ (ˈdɛndraɪt) /

noun

Also called: dendron any of the short branched threadlike extensions of a nerve cell, which conduct impulses towards the cell body
a branching mosslike crystalline structure in some rocks and minerals
a crystal that has branched during growth and has a treelike form

Derived forms of dendrite

dendritic (dɛnˈdrɪtɪk) or dendritical, adjective dendritically, adverb

Word Origin for dendrite

C18: from Greek dendritēs relating to a tree

Medical definitions for dendrite

dendrite
[ dĕn′drīt′ ]

n.

Any of the various branched protoplasmic extensions of a nerve cell that conducts impulses from adjacent cells inward toward the cell body. dendritic process dendron neurodendrite neurodendron

Scientific definitions for dendrite

dendrite
[ dĕn′drīt′ ]

Any of several parts branching from the body of a neuron that receive and transmit nerve impulses.
A mineral that has a branching crystal pattern. Dendrites often form within or on the surface of other minerals and often consist of manganese oxides.