involucre

[ in-vuh-loo-ker ]
/ ˈɪn vəˌlu kər /

noun

Botany. a collection or rosette of bracts subtending a flower cluster, umbel, or the like.
a covering, especially a membranous one.

Origin of involucre

1570–80; < Middle French < Latin involūcrum involucrum

OTHER WORDS FROM involucre

in·vo·lu·cral, adjective

Words nearby involucre

invocation, invoice, invoke, involucel, involucrate, involucre, involucrum, involuntary, involuntary muscle, involute, involute gear

Example sentences from the Web for involucre

British Dictionary definitions for involucre

involucre

involucrum (ˌɪnvəˈluːkrəm)

/ (ˈɪnvəˌluːkə) /

noun plural -cres or -cra (-krə)

a ring of bracts at the base of an inflorescence in such plants as the composites

Derived forms of involucre

involucral, adjective involucrate, adjective

Word Origin for involucre

C16 (in the sense: envelope): from New Latin involucrum, from Latin: wrapper, from involvere to wrap; see involve

Scientific definitions for involucre

involucre
[ ĭn′-və-lōō′kər ]

A series of bracts beneath or around a flower or flower cluster. The cupule, the cuplike structure holding an oak acorn, is a modified, woody involucre.