peduncle

[ pi-duhng-kuh l, pee-duhng- ]
/ pɪˈdʌŋ kəl, ˈpi dʌŋ- /

noun

Botany.
  1. a flower stalk, supporting either a cluster or a solitary flower.
  2. the stalk bearing the fruiting body in fungi.
Zoology. a stalk or stem; a stalklike part or structure.
Anatomy.
  1. a stalklike structure composed of white matter, connecting various regions of the brain.
  2. an attachment process, as in the brachiopods.

Origin of peduncle

1745–55; < New Latin pedunculus, equivalent to Latin ped-, stem of pēs foot + -unculus diminutive suffix, orig. of n-stems; cf. carbuncle, homunculus

OTHER WORDS FROM peduncle

Example sentences from the Web for peduncle

British Dictionary definitions for peduncle

peduncle
/ (pɪˈdʌŋkəl) /

noun

the stalk of a plant bearing an inflorescence or solitary flower
anatomy a stalklike structure, esp a large bundle of nerve fibres within the brain
pathol a slender process of tissue by which a polyp or tumour is attached to the body
biology another name for pedicel (def. 2)

Derived forms of peduncle

peduncled or peduncular (pɪˈdʌŋkjʊlə), adjective

Word Origin for peduncle

C18: from New Latin pedunculus, from Latin pedīculus little foot; see pedicle

Medical definitions for peduncle

peduncle
[ pĭ-dŭngkəl, pēdŭng′kəl ]

n.

pedicle
pedunculus

Other words from peduncle

pe•duncu•lar (pĭ-dŭngkyə-lər) adj.

Scientific definitions for peduncle

peduncle
[ pĭ-dŭngkəl, pēdŭng′kəl ]

The stalk that attaches a single flower, flower cluster, or fruit to the stem. See more at flower.
A stalk supporting an animal organ, such as the eyestalk of a lobster.
A slender stalk by which the base of a nonsessile tumor is attached to normal tissue.
Any of several stalklike connecting structures in the brain, composed either of white matter or of white and gray matter.