-adelphous

Botany.

1. a combining form meaning “having stamens growing together in bundles,” of the number specified by the initial element.

   monadelphous.

Word History and Origins

Origin of -adelphous¹

< New Latin < Greek -adelphos, adj. derivative of adelphós brother or adelphḗ sister; -ous

Example Sentences

Having coalescent or clustered filaments; Ð said of stamens; as, adelphous stamens.

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When To Use

What does -adelphous mean?

The combining form -adelphous is used like a suffix meaning “having stamens growing together in bundles.” Stamens are the pollen-bearing organ of a flower. The form -adelphous is rarely used in scientific terms, particularly in botany.The form -adelphous comes from Greek adelphós, meaning “brother.” This same root is also found in the name of the city Philadelphia, “the city of brotherly love.” Find out more at our entry for Philadelphia.