epinasty

[ ep-uh-nas-tee ]
/ ˈɛp əˌnæs ti /

noun Botany.

(especially of leaves) increased growth on the upper surface of an organ or part, causing it to bend downward.

Origin of epinasty

1875–80; epi- + Greek nast(ós) pressed close + -y3

OTHER WORDS FROM epinasty

ep·i·nas·tic, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for epinasty

British Dictionary definitions for epinasty

epinasty
/ (ˈɛpɪˌnæstɪ) /

noun plural -ties

increased growth of the upper surface of a plant part, such as a leaf, resulting in a downward bending of the part Compare hyponasty

Derived forms of epinasty

epinastic, adjective

Word Origin for epinasty

C19: from epi- + -nasty, from Greek nastos pressed down, from nassein to press