meristem
[ mer-uh-stem ]
/ ˈmɛr əˌstɛm /
noun Botany.
embryonic tissue in plants; undifferentiated, growing, actively dividing cells.
Origin of meristem
1870–75; < Greek
merist(ós) divided, distributed (equivalent to
*merid-, stem of
merízein to divide into parts (derivative of
méris part, share) +
-tos verbal adjective suffix) +
-em < Greek
-ēma termination of nouns denoting result of action; cf.
-eme
Words nearby meristem
mering,
meringue,
merino,
merionethshire,
merisis,
meristem,
meristematic,
meristic,
merit,
merit badge,
merit pay
British Dictionary definitions for meristem
meristem
/ (ˈmɛrɪˌstɛm) /
noun
a plant tissue responsible for growth, whose cells divide and differentiate to form the tissues and organs of the plant. Meristems occur within the stem (see cambium) and leaves and at the tips of stems and roots
Derived forms of meristem
meristematic (ˌmɛrɪstɪˈmætɪk), adjectiveWord Origin for meristem
C19: from Greek
meristos divided, from
merizein to divide, from
meris portion
Scientific definitions for meristem
meristem
[ mĕr′ĭ-stĕm′ ]
Plant tissue whose cells actively divide to form new tissues that cause the plant to grow. The originally undifferentiated cells of the meristem can produce specialized cells to form the tissues of roots, leaves, and other plant parts. The meristem includes the growing tips of roots and stems (the apical meristems) and the tissue layer known as cambium.