spathe

POS

Noun

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WORDNET DICTIONARY

Noun spathe has 1 sense

spathe(n = noun.plant) - a conspicuous bract surrounding or subtending a spadix or other inflorescence;

is a kind of

bract

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CIDE DICTIONARY

spathe, n. [L. spatha, Gr. : cf. F. spathe. See Spade for digging.].

A special involucre formed of one leaf and inclosing a spadix, as in aroid plants and palms. See the Note under Bract, and Illust. of Spadix. [1913 Webster]

" The name is also given to the several-leaved involucre of the iris and other similar plants." [1913 Webster]

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OXFORD DICTIONARY

spathe, n. Bot. a large bract or pair of bracts enveloping a spadix or flower-cluster.

Derivative

spathaceous adj.

Etymology

L f. Gk spathe broad blade etc.

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