rachis
or rha·chis
[ rey-kis ]
/ ˈreɪ kɪs /
noun, plural ra·chis·es, rach·i·des [rak-i-deez, rey-ki-] /ˈræk ɪˌdiz, ˈreɪ kɪ-/.
Botany.
- the axis of an inflorescence when somewhat elongated, as in a raceme.
- (in a pinnately compound leaf or frond) the prolongation of the petiole along which the leaflets are disposed.
- any of various axial structures.
Ornithology.
the part of the shaft of a feather bearing the web.
Anatomy.
spinal column.
Origin of rachis
1775–85; < New Latin < Greek
rháchis spine, ridge, backbone
OTHER WORDS FROM rachis
ra·chid·i·an [ruh-kid-ee-uh n] /rəˈkɪd i ən/, ra·chi·al [rey-kee-uh l] /ˈreɪ ki əl/, ra·chid·i·al, adjectiveWords nearby rachis
Example sentences from the Web for rachis
British Dictionary definitions for rachis
rachis
rhachis
/ (ˈreɪkɪs) /
noun plural rachises, rhachises, rachides or rhachides (ˈrækɪˌdiːz, ˈreɪ-)
botany
the main axis or stem of an inflorescence or compound leaf
ornithol
the shaft of a feather, esp the part that carries the barbs
another name for spinal column
Derived forms of rachis
rachial or rhachial (ˈreɪkɪəl) or rachidial or rhachidial (rəˈkɪdɪəl), adjectiveWord Origin for rachis
C17: via New Latin from Greek
rhakhis ridge
Medical definitions for rachis
rachis
[ rā′kĭs ]
n. pl. ra•chis•es
spinal column
Scientific definitions for rachis
rachis
[ rā′kĭs ]
Plural rachises rachides (răk′ĭ-dēz′, rā′kĭ-)
A main axis or shaft, such as the main stem of an inflorescence, the stalk of a pinnately compound leaf, the shaft of a feather, or the spinal column.