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aerenchyma

[ ai-reng-kuh-muh, ai-ren- ]
/ ɛəˈrɛŋ kə mə, ɛəˈrɛn- /

noun Botany.

a tissue in certain aquatic plants, consisting of thin-walled cells and large intercellular spaces adapted for internal circulation of air.

Nearby words

  1. aerate,
  2. aerated,
  3. aeration,
  4. aerator,
  5. aere perennius,
  6. aeri-,
  7. aeria,
  8. aerial,
  9. aerial ladder,
  10. aerial mine

Origin of aerenchyma

From New Latin, dating back to 1895–1900; see origin at aer-, parenchyma
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for aerenchyma

aerenchyma

/ (ɛəˈrɛŋkɪmə) /

noun

plant tissue with large air-filled spaces, which is typical of aquatic plants and allows air to reach waterlogged parts

Word Origin for aerenchyma

C19: from aer(o)- + Greek enkhuma infusion
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Science definitions for aerenchyma

aerenchyma

[ â-rĕng′kə-mə ]

A spongy tissue with large air spaces found between the cells of the stems and leaves of aquatic plants. Aerenchyma provides buoyancy and allows the circulation of gases.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.