RACHIS

rachis

(noun) axis of a compound leaf or compound inflorescence

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology

Noun

rachis (plural rachises or rachides)

(obsolete, zoology, anatomy) The spinal column, or the vertebrae of the spine. [17th-19th c.]

(zoology) An anatomical shaft or axis in a marine invertebrate. [from 18th c.]

(ornithology) The central shaft of a feather. [from 19th c.]

(botany) The main shaft of either a compound leaf, head of grain, or fern frond. [from 19th c.]

Usage notes

• The plural form rachides is based on a mistaken impression of the Ancient Greek stem.

Anagrams

• Charis, Sirach, chairs

Source: Wiktionary


Ra"chis, n.; pl. E. Rachises, L. Rachides. Etym: [NL., fr. Gr. [Written also rhachis.]

1. (Anat.)

Definition: The spine; the vertebral column.

2. (Bot. & Zoöl.)

Definition: Same as Rhachis.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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Word of the Day

3 April 2025

WHOLE

(noun) an assemblage of parts that is regarded as a single entity; “how big is that part compared to the whole?”; “the team is a unit”


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