coleoptile
[ koh-lee-op-til, kol-ee- ]
/ ˌkoʊ liˈɒp tɪl, ˌkɒl i- /
noun Botany.
(in grasses) the first leaf above the ground, forming a sheath around the stem tip.
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Origin of coleoptile
1865–70; <New Latin coleoptilum<Greek koleó(n) sheath, scabbard + ptílon soft feathers, down
Words nearby coleoptile
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
British Dictionary definitions for coleoptile
coleoptile
/ (ˌkɒlɪˈɒptaɪl) /
noun
a protective sheath around the plumule in grasses
Word Origin for coleoptile
C19: from New Latin coleoptilum, from Greek koleon sheath + ptilon down, soft plumage
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Scientific definitions for coleoptile
coleoptile
[ kō′lē-ŏp′tĭl, kŏl′ē- ]
A protective sheath enclosing the shoot tip and embryonic leaves of grasses.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
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