trichome

[ trik-ohm, trahy-kohm ]
/ ˈtrɪk oʊm, ˈtraɪ koʊm /

noun

Botany. an outgrowth from the epidermis of plants, as a hair.
a microorganism composed of many filamentous cells arranged in strands or chains.

Origin of trichome

First recorded in 1870–75, trichome is from the Greek word tríchōma growth of hair. See trich-, -oma

OTHER WORDS FROM trichome

tri·chom·ic [trih-kom-ik, -koh-mik] /trɪˈkɒm ɪk, -ˈkoʊ mɪk/, adjective

Words nearby trichome

trichogyne, trichoid, tricholith, trichologia, trichology, trichome, trichomegaly, trichomonacide, trichomonad, trichomonas, trichomonas tenax

British Dictionary definitions for trichome

trichome
/ (ˈtraɪkəʊm, ˈtrɪk-) /

noun

any hairlike outgrowth from the surface of a plant
any of the threadlike structures that make up the filaments of blue-green algae

Derived forms of trichome

trichomic (trɪˈkɒmɪk), adjective

Word Origin for trichome

C19: from Greek trikhōma, from trikhoun to cover with hair, from thrix a hair

Scientific definitions for trichome

trichome
[ trĭk′ōm′, trī′kōm′ ]

One of the hairlike or bristlelike outgrowths on the epidermis of a plant. Trichomes serve a variety of functions, depending on their location. As root hairs (and as leaf hairs in epiphytes), trichomes absorb water and minerals. As leaf hairs, they reflect radiation, lower plant temperature, and reduce water loss. They also provide defense against insects.