spadix

[ spey-diks ]
/ ˈspeɪ dɪks /

noun, plural spa·di·ces [spey-dahy-seez, spey-duh-seez] /speɪˈdaɪ siz, ˈspeɪ dəˌsiz/. Botany.

an inflorescence consisting of a spike with a fleshy or thickened axis, usually enclosed in a spathe.

Origin of spadix

1750–60; < Latin spādīx a broken palm branch and its fruit < Greek spā́dīx a torn-off palm bough, chestnut brown; akin to spân to tear off

Words nearby spadix

spadeful, spadework, spadger, spadiceous, spadille, spadix, spado, spae, spaetzle, spaewife, spag

Example sentences from the Web for spadix

British Dictionary definitions for spadix

spadix
/ (ˈspeɪdɪks) /

noun plural spadices (speɪˈdaɪsiːz)

a racemose inflorescence having many small sessile flowers borne on a fleshy stem, the whole usually being surrounded by a spathe: typical of aroid plants

Word Origin for spadix

C18: from Latin: pulled-off branch of a palm, with its fruit, from Greek: torn-off frond; related to Greek span to pull off

Scientific definitions for spadix

spadix
[ spā′dĭks ]

Plural spadices (spā′dĭ-sēz′)

A fleshy spike of minute flowers, usually enclosed within a spathe, as in the arums.