CADUCOUS

caducous, shed

(adjective) shed at an early stage of development; “most amphibians have caducous gills”; “the caducous calyx of a poppy”

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology

Adjective

caducous (comparative more caducous, superlative most caducous)

(biology) Of a part of an organism, disappearing in the normal course of development.

(botany) Tending to fall early.

Source: Wiktionary


Ca*du"cous, Etym: [L. caducus falling, inclined to fall, fr. cadere to fall. See Cadence.] (Bot. & Zoöl.)

Definition: Dropping off or disappearing early, as the calyx of a poppy, or the gills of a tadpole.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



RESET




Word of the Day

5 June 2025

UNDERLAY

(verb) raise or support (the level of printing) by inserting a piece of paper or cardboard under the type; “underlay the plate”


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Coffee Trivia

Contrary to popular belief, coffee beans are not technically beans. They are referred to as such because of their resemblance to legumes. A coffee bean is a seed of the Coffea plant and the source for coffee. It is the pit inside the red or purple fruit, often referred to as a cherry. Just like ordinary cherries, the coffee fruit is also a so-called stone fruit.

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