terete

[ tuh-reet, ter-eet ]

adjective

1. slender and smooth, with a circular transverse section.
2. cylindrical or slightly tapering.

terete

/ ˈtɛriːt /

adjective

1. (esp of plant parts) smooth and usually cylindrical and tapering

Other Words From

• subte·rete adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of terete¹

1610–20; earlier teret < Latin teret- (stem of teres ) smooth and round, akin to terere to rub

Word History and Origins

Origin of terete¹

C17: from Latin teres smooth, from terere to rub

Example Sentences

Terete′, cylindrical and tapering, columnar; Tereticau′date, round-tailed.

From Project Gutenberg

Pod linear, terete or somewhat 4-sided, the valves being keeled by a mid-nerve.

From Project Gutenberg

Pod a short silique or a silicle, varying from oblong-linear to globular, terete or nearly so; valves strongly convex, nerveless.

From Project Gutenberg

Pod linear or oblong, nearly terete or 4-sided, with a stout 1-seeded beak or a rigid style; valves 1–5-nerved.

From Project Gutenberg

Fruit ovate, glabrous, with equal filiform ribs, and no oil-tubes; stylopodium conical and prominent; seed nearly terete.

From Project Gutenberg