spathe

[ speyth ]
/ speɪð /

noun Botany.

a bract or pair of bracts, often large and colored, subtending or enclosing a spadix or flower cluster.

Origin of spathe

1775–85; < Latin spatha < Greek spáthē blade, sword, stem; cf. spade2

OTHER WORDS FROM spathe

spathed, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for spathe

British Dictionary definitions for spathe

spathe
/ (speɪð) /

noun

a large bract, often coloured, that surrounds the inflorescence of aroid plants and palms

Derived forms of spathe

spathaceous (spəˈθeɪʃəs), adjective spathed, adjective

Word Origin for spathe

C18: from Latin spatha, from Greek spathē a blade

Scientific definitions for spathe

spathe
[ spāð ]

A large, leaflike, often showy bract that encloses a flower cluster or spadix, as in the jack-in-the-pulpit or calla lily.