rachis
(noun) axis of a compound leaf or compound inflorescence
Source: WordNet® 3.1
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.]
• The plural form rachides is based on a mistaken impression of the Ancient Greek stem.
• 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
12 June 2025
(noun) a decrease in the density of something; “a sound wave causes periodic rarefactions in its medium”
The word “coffee” entered the English language in 1582 via the Dutch “koffie,” borrowed from the Ottoman Turkish “kahve,” borrowed in turn from the Arabic “qahwah.” The Arabic word qahwah was traditionally held to refer to a type of wine.
