chalaza

American  

[kuh-ley-zuh] / kəˈleɪ zə /

noun

plural

chalazas, chalazae

1. Zoology. one of the two albuminous twisted cords which fasten an egg yolk to the shell membrane.

2. Botany. the point of an ovule or seed where the integuments are united to the nucellus.

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chalaza British  

/ kəˈleɪzə /

noun

1. one of a pair of spiral threads of albumen holding the yolk of a bird's egg in position

2. the basal part of a plant ovule, where the integuments and nucellus are joined

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chalaza Scientific  

/ kə-lā′zə /

plural

chalazae

1. One of two spiral bands of tissue in an egg that connect the yolk to the lining membrane at either end of the shell.

2. The region of a plant ovule that is opposite the micropyle, where the integuments and nucellus are joined.

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Other Word Forms

• chalazal adjective
• chalazian adjective

Etymology

Origin of chalaza

1695–1705; < New Latin < Greek: hail, lump

Example Sentences

Seeds medium in size, broad, beak short; chalaza oval or roundish, elevated, very distinct; raphe a distinct, cord-like ridge.

From Manual of American Grape-Growing by Hedrick, U. P.

Orthotropous ovule of Buckwheat: c, hilum and chalaza; f, orifice.

From The Elements of Botany For Beginners and For Schools by Gray, Asa

Seeds few, small, short, plump, oval or roundish, with short beak; chalaza oval or roundish, distinct; raphe narrow, slightly distinct to indistinct.

From Manual of American Grape-Growing by Hedrick, U. P.

I have been thinking that the apparent opening at the chalaza end must have been withering or perhaps gnawing by some very minute insects, as the ovarium is open at the upper end.

From More Letters of Charles Darwin — Volume 2 by Darwin, Francis, Sir

Amphitropous ovule of Mallow: f, orifice; h, hilum; r, rhaphe; c, chalaza.

From The Elements of Botany For Beginners and For Schools by Gray, Asa