pappus

[ pap-uh s ]
/ ˈpæp əs /

noun, plural pap·pi [pap-ahy] /ˈpæp aɪ/. Botany.

a downy, bristly, or other tuftlike appendage of the achene of certain plants, as the dandelion and the thistle.

Origin of pappus

1695–1705; < New Latin < Greek páppos down, literally, grandfather (taken as greybeard, white hairs, down)

Words nearby pappus

pappadam, pappardelle, pappenheimer, pappenheimer body, pappose, pappus, pappus of alexandria, pappy, paprika, papua, papua new guinea

Example sentences from the Web for pappus

British Dictionary definitions for pappus

pappus
/ (ˈpæpəs) /

noun plural pappi (ˈpæpaɪ)

a ring of fine feathery hairs surrounding the fruit in composite plants, such as the thistle; aids dispersal of the fruits by the wind

Derived forms of pappus

pappose or pappous, adjective

Word Origin for pappus

C18: via New Latin, from Greek pappos grandfather, old man, old man's beard, hence: pappus, down

Scientific definitions for pappus

pappus
[ păp′əs ]

Plural pappi (păp′ī)

A structure made of scales, bristles, or featherlike hairs that is attached to the seeds (called cypselae) of plants of the composite family and that aids in dispersal by the wind. The downy part of a dandelion or thistle seed is a pappus. The pappus is derived from a modified calyx.