tendril

[ ten-dril ]
/ ˈtɛn drɪl /

noun Botany.

a threadlike, leafless organ of climbing plants, often growing in spiral form, which attaches itself to or twines round some other body, so as to support the plant.

Origin of tendril

1530–40; earlier tendrel, variant (perhaps by dissimilation) of Middle English tendren, tendron < Middle French tendron shoot, sprout, cartilage

OTHER WORDS FROM tendril

ten·dril·lar, ten·dril·ous, adjective ten·dril·ly, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for tendril

British Dictionary definitions for tendril

tendril
/ (ˈtɛndrɪl) /

noun

a specialized threadlike part of a leaf or stem that attaches climbing plants to a support by twining or adhering
something resembling a tendril, such as a wisp of hair

Derived forms of tendril

tendrillar or tendrilous, adjective

Word Origin for tendril

C16: perhaps from Old French tendron tendril (confused with Old French tendron bud), from Medieval Latin tendō tendon

Scientific definitions for tendril

tendril
[ tĕndrəl ]

A slender, coiling plant part, often a modified leaf or leaf part, that helps support the stem of some climbing angiosperms by clinging to or winding around an object. Peas, squash, and grapes produce tendrils.