rachis
Americannoun
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Botany.
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the axis of an inflorescence when somewhat elongated, as in a raceme.
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(in a pinnately compound leaf or frond) the prolongation of the petiole along which the leaflets are disposed.
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any of various axial structures.
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Ornithology. the part of the shaft of a feather bearing the web.
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Anatomy. spinal column.
noun
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botany the main axis or stem of an inflorescence or compound leaf
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ornithol the shaft of a feather, esp the part that carries the barbs
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another name for spinal column
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of rachis
1775–85; < New Latin < Greek rháchis spine, ridge, backbone
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
On the resignation of Rachis the true Lombard spirit had raised his brother Aistulf to the throne.
From The Formation of Christendom, Volume VII by Allies, Thomas W.
The father of the Lombard king Rachis was called Pimo.
From Surnames as a Science by Ferguson, Robert
Pope Zacharias, by his personal dignity, prevailed over both Liutprand and Rachis.
From The Formation of Christendom, Volume VII by Allies, Thomas W.
Rachis not fragile; spikelets in cylindrical silvery thyrsus 18.
From A Handbook of Some South Indian Grasses by Rangachari, K.
Rachis: a ridge or keel dividing the spinning canal at base, in caterpillars; the shank of an antennal joint into which the lateral spines or other processes are inserted.
From Explanation of Terms Used in Entomology by Smith, John. B.
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
