caryopsis

[ kar-ee-op-sis ]

noun

, Botany.

, plural car·y·op·ses [kar-ee-, op, -seez] car·y·op·si·des [kar-ee-, op, -si-deez].

1. a small, one-celled, one-seeded, dry indehiscent fruit with the pericarp adherent to the seed coat, the typical fruit of grasses and grains.

caryopsis

/ ˌkærɪˈɒpsɪs /

noun

1. a dry seedlike fruit having the pericarp fused to the seed coat of the single seed: produced by the grasses

caryopsis

/ kăr′ē-ŏp′sĭs /

, Plural caryopses kăr′ē-ŏp′sēz′

1. A small, dry, one-seeded fruit of a cereal grass, having the fruit and the seed walls united.
2. Also called grain

Word History and Origins

Origin of caryopsis¹

First recorded in 1820–30; cary(o)- + -opsis

Word History and Origins

Origin of caryopsis¹

C19: New Latin; see karyo- , -opsis

Example Sentences

As an illustration of the caryopsis, the grain of Andropogon Sorghum may be studied.

From Project Gutenberg

Caryopsis grooved, blunt and more tightly held in the palea.

From Project Gutenberg

Caryopsis 7-8 mm., less flattened than in Bromus, with a shallow groove.

From Project Gutenberg

The caryopsis is shorter and more ovoid than in other Bromes.

From Project Gutenberg

In Lolium and Agropyrum the caryopsis is still more wheat-like and grooved.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• kernel