circumscissile

[ sur-kuhm-sis-il ]

adjective

, Botany.

1. opening along a transverse circular line, as a seed vessel.

circumscissile

/ ˌsɜːkəmˈsɪsaɪl /

adjective

1. (of the dry dehiscent fruits of certain plants) opening completely by a transverse split

Word History and Origins

Origin of circumscissile¹

First recorded in 1825–35; circum- + scissile

Word History and Origins

Origin of circumscissile¹

C19: from circum- + Latin scissilis capable of splitting, from scindere to split

Example Sentences

Nothing similar appears in the gray specimens of the present form, although the dehiscence is quite as certainly circumscissile.

From Project Gutenberg

Fruit a circumscissile 2-celled capsule, with one or more peltate seeds in each cell, or an achene.

From Project Gutenberg

Capsule 3–5-celled with axile placent, loculicidal or circumscissile, many-seeded.

From Project Gutenberg

Pod 3–5-celled, many-seeded, circumscissile, the upper part falling off as a lid.

From Project Gutenberg

Capsule membranaceous, circumscissile, the top falling off like a lid, many-seeded.

From Project Gutenberg