catkin

American  

[kat-kin] / ˈkæt kɪn /

noun

Botany.

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

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catkin British  

/ ˈkætkɪn /

noun

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

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catkin Scientific  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• catkinate
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of catkin

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

Example Sentences

"Cecilia," said John at tea, "harking back to the question of Hairy Bittercress——" "Hazel Catkin," said Margery.

From Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 158, 1920-04-14 by Various

"Unless you help us," I said, "this Hazel Catkin or Hairy Bittercress will ruin at least four promising young lives."

From Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 158, 1920-04-14 by Various

"And I say it's Hazel Catkin," said Margery.

From Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 158, 1920-04-14 by Various

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

From Trees of the Northern United States Their Study, Description and Determination by Apgar, A. C. (Austin Craig)

Catkin killing does not seem to be due to extreme cold during the winter and rarely are the catkins injured before late February or early March.

From Northern Nut Growers Association Report of the Proceedings at the Twenty-Fourth Annual Meeting Downington, Pennsylvania, September 11 and 12, 1933 by Northern Nut Growers Association