petal

¹

[pet-l]

noun

1. one of the often colored segments of the corolla of a flower.

-petal

²

1. a combining form meaning “seeking, moving toward” that specified by the initial element, used in the formation of compound words.

   acropetal.

-petal

¹

combining form

1. seeking

   centripetal

petal

²

/ ˈpɛtəl /

noun

1. any of the separate parts of the corolla of a flower: often brightly coloured

petal

1. One of the often brightly colored parts of a flower surrounding the reproductive organs. Petals are attached to the receptacle underneath the carpels and stamens and may be separate or joined at their bases. As a group, the petals are called the corolla.

2. See more at flower

Other Word Forms

• petalage noun
• petaled adjective
• petalled adjective
• petalless adjective
• petallike adjective
• unpetaled adjective
• unpetalled adjective
• petaline adjective
• petal-like adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of petal¹

1695–1705; < New Latin petalum petal, Latin: metal plate < Greek pétalon a thin plate, leaf, noun use of neuter of pétalos spread out, akin to petannýnai to be open, Latin patēre to stand open ( patent )

Origin of petal²

< New Latin -pet ( us ) seeking, derivative of Latin petere to seek + -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of petal¹

from New Latin -petus, from Latin petere to seek

Origin of petal²

C18: from New Latin petalum, from Greek petalon leaf; related to petannunai to lie open

Example Sentences

Other Le Creuset fans are calling it a “bait and switch” after seeing the mystery boxes from a Factory to Table sale in June where people received “full sets” of matching Le Creuset pans and exclusive designs like pumpkin and petal braisers.

From Salon

The show will see a high-end hairdresser, Lily Petal, opt out of a competitive city scene to buy a small village hairdressers at the top of a cobbled street.

From BBC

Now, instead of Mindy Kaling cooing over her petal addiction, we have France deadpanning, “That is the gayest s**t I’ve seen in a long time.”

From Salon

Wait by a jacaranda tree long enough to see a petal flutter to the ground.

From Los Angeles Times

Splurge on handrolled rose petal cones with coconut husk filters for an elevated experience.

From Salon

Related Words

• frond 
• needle 
• stalk