catkin

[ kat-kin ]

noun

, Botany.

1. a spike of unisexual, apetalous flowers having scaly, usually deciduous bracts, as of a willow or birch.

catkin

/ ˈkætkɪn /

noun

1. an inflorescence consisting of a spike, usually hanging, of much reduced flowers of either sex: occurs in birch, hazel, etc Also calledament

catkin

/ kăt′kĭn /

1. A long, thin, indeterminate inflorescence of tiny, petalless flowers growing on willows, birches, oaks, poplars, and certain other trees. The flowers on a catkin are either all male or all female. The female flowers are usually pollinated by the wind.
2. Also called ament
3. See illustration at inflorescence

Other Words From

• cat·kin·ate [kat, -k, uh, -neyt], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of catkin¹

First recorded in 1570–80, catkin is from the Dutch word katteken little cat (now obsolete). See cat, -kin

Word History and Origins

Origin of catkin¹

C16: from obsolete Dutch katteken kitten, identical in meaning with French chaton, German Kätzchen

Example Sentences

Catkin bearing nut trees, such as the walnut, have a refined structure that makes grafting difficult.

From Project Gutenberg

Hardiness of catkin also varied greatly and rather consistently from year to year.

From Project Gutenberg

It was here that the records of yields and catkin hardiness were valuable.

From Project Gutenberg

Similarly the fruit of the mulberry represents a catkin-like inflorescence.

From Project Gutenberg

Catkin, bracted flowers situated along a slender and usually drooping stem.

From Project Gutenberg