peduncle

[ pi-duhng-kuhl, pee-duhng- ]

noun

1. Botany.
   1. a flower stalk, supporting either a cluster or a solitary flower.
   2. the stalk bearing the fruiting body in fungi.
2. Zoology. a stalk or stem; a stalklike part or structure.
3. Anatomy.
   1. a stalklike structure composed of white matter, connecting various regions of the brain.
   2. an attachment process, as in the brachiopods.

peduncle

/ pɪˈdʌŋkjʊlə; pɪˈdʌŋkəl /

noun

1. the stalk of a plant bearing an inflorescence or solitary flower
2. anatomy a stalklike structure, esp a large bundle of nerve fibres within the brain
3. pathol a slender process of tissue by which a polyp or tumour is attached to the body
4. See pedicel
   biology another name for pedicel

peduncle

/ pĭ-dŭng′kəl,pē′dŭng′kəl /

1. The stalk that attaches a single flower, flower cluster, or fruit to the stem.
2. See more at flower
3. A stalk supporting an animal organ, such as the eyestalk of a lobster.
4. A slender stalk by which the base of a nonsessile tumor is attached to normal tissue.
5. Any of several stalklike connecting structures in the brain, composed either of white matter or of white and gray matter.

Derived Forms

• peˈduncled, adjective

Other Words From

• pe·duncled pe·dun·cu·lar [pi-, duhng, -ky, uh, -ler], adjective
• inter·pe·duncu·lar adjective
• postpe·duncu·lar adjective
• prepe·duncle noun
• subpe·duncle noun
• subpe·duncled adjective
• subpe·duncu·lar adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of peduncle¹

First recorded in 1745–55; from New Latin pedunculus, equivalent to Latin ped-, stem of pēs foot + -unculus diminutive suffix, originally of n-stems; carbuncle, homunculus

Word History and Origins

Origin of peduncle¹

C18: from New Latin pedunculus, from Latin pedīculus little foot; see pedicle

Example Sentences

The first antennae have a lamellar appendage at the end of the peduncle, a decidedly non-entomostracan feature.

From Project Gutenberg

The peduncle supporting the plume of medial petals is clearly seen only when the flower opens first.

From Project Gutenberg

Clusters small, compound; peduncle slender, of medium length.

From Project Gutenberg

Clusters short and broad, compact, with medium to short peduncle.

From Project Gutenberg

Clusters medium to large, loose, seldom compound; long peduncle.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• branch
• trunk