Word Study
placenta
WORDNET DICTIONARY
Noun placenta has 2 senses
- placenta(n = noun.plant) Array - that part of the ovary of a flowering plant where the ovules form; Array is a kind of reproductive structure
- placenta(n = noun.body) Array - the vascular structure in the uterus of most mammals providing oxygen and nutrients for and transferring wastes from the developing fetus; Array has parts: caul, embryonic membrane, veil
is a part of ovary
Derived form adjective placental1
is a kind of vascular structure
is a part of uterus, womb
has particulars: afterbirth
Derived form adjective placental1
CIDE DICTIONARY
placenta, n. [L., a cake, Gr. a flat cake, from flat, fr. , , anything flat and broad.].
- The vascular appendage which connects the fetus with the parent, and is cast off in parturition with the afterbirth. [1913 Webster]" In most mammals the placenta is principally developed from the allantois and chorion, and tufts of vascular villi on its surface penetrate the blood vessels of the parental uterus, and thus establish a nutritive and excretory connection between the blood of the fetus and that of the parent, though the blood itself does not flow from one to the other." [1913 Webster]
- The part of a pistil or fruit to which the ovules or seeds are attached. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
placenta, n. (pl. placentae or placentas)
1 a flattened circular organ in the uterus of pregnant mammals nourishing and maintaining the foetus through the umbilical cord and expelled after birth.
2 (in flowers) part of the ovary wall carrying the ovules.
1 a flattened circular organ in the uterus of pregnant mammals nourishing and maintaining the foetus through the umbilical cord and expelled after birth.
2 (in flowers) part of the ovary wall carrying the ovules.
Derivative
placental adj.
Etymology
L f. Gk plakous -ountos flat cake f. the root of plax plakos flat plate
ROGET THESAURUS
placenta
Sequence
N sequence, coming after, going after, consecution, succession, posteriority, continuation, order of succession, successiveness, paracme, secondariness, subordinancy, afterbirth, afterburden, placenta, secundines, succeeding, v, sequent, subsequent, consequent, sequacious, proximate, next, consecutive, alternate, amoebean, latter, posterior, after, subsequently, behind, sequence, coming after, (time), following pursuit, follower, attendant, satellite, shadow, dangler, train, subsequent, next, succeeding, following, behind, in the rear, in the train of, in the wake of, after.
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