monocotyledon

[ mon-uh-kot-l-eed-n ]
/ ˌmɒn əˌkɒt lˈid n /

noun Botany.

an angiospermous plant of the class Monocotyledones, characterized by producing seeds with one cotyledon and an endogenous manner of growth.
Compare dicotyledon.

Origin of monocotyledon

From New Latin, dating back to 1720–30; see origin at mono-, cotyledon

Words nearby monocotyledon

monoclonal, monoclonal antibody, monoclonality, monocoque, monocot, monocotyledon, monocotyledonous, monocracy, monocrat, monocrotic, monocrotism

British Dictionary definitions for monocotyledon

monocotyledon
/ (ˌmɒnəʊˌkɒtɪˈliːdən) /

noun

any flowering plant of the class Monocotyledonae, having a single embryonic seed leaf, leaves with parallel veins, and flowers with parts in threes: includes grasses, lilies, palms, and orchids Often shortened to: monocot Compare dicotyledon

Derived forms of monocotyledon

monocotyledonous, adjective

Scientific definitions for monocotyledon

monocotyledon
[ mŏn′ə-kŏt′l-ēd′n ]
monocot (mŏn′ə-kŏt′)

Any of a class of angiosperm plants having a single cotyledon in the seed. Monocotyledons have leaves with parallel veins, flower parts in multiples of three, and fibrous root systems. Their primary vascular bundles are scattered throughout the stem, not arranged in a ring as in eudicotyledons. Grasses, palms, lilies, irises, and orchids are monocotyledons. See more at leaf. Compare eudicotyledon.

Other words from monocotyledon

monocotyledonous adjective