Advertisement
Advertisement
achene
[ ey-keen, uh-keen ]
noun
- any small, dry, hard, one-seeded, indehiscent fruit.
achene
/ əˈkiːn /
noun
- a dry one-seeded indehiscent fruit with the seed distinct from the fruit wall. It may be smooth, as in the buttercup, or feathery, as in clematis
achene
/ ā-kēn′ /
- A small, dry, one-seeded fruit in which the seed sits free inside the hollow fruit, attached only by the stem of the ovule. Achenes are indehiscent (they do not split open when ripe). The fruits of the sunflower and elm are achenes.
Discover More
Derived Forms
- aˈchenial, adjective
Discover More
Other Words From
- a·che·ni·al [ey-, kee, -nee-, uh, l, uh, -, kee, -], adjective
Discover More
Word History and Origins
Discover More
Word History and Origins
Origin of achene1
Discover More
Example Sentences
Fruit a circumscissile 2-celled capsule, with one or more peltate seeds in each cell, or an achene.
Ovary 1-celled with a suspended ovule, becoming an achene; calyx none; aquatic herbs, with finely dissected whorled leaves.
Achene (commonly solitary) enclosed in the 4-angled dry and thickish closed calyx-tube.
Ovary with a single cell and ovule, tipped with a long laterally stigmatic style, maturing as an achene.
Achene obtusely triangular, partly 3-celled, enclosed in the indurated calyx.
Advertisement
Discover More
Related Words
Word of the Day
[tawr-choo-uhs ]
Meaning and examplesStart each day with the Word of the Day in your inbox!
By clicking "Sign Up", you are accepting Dictionary.com Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policies.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Browse