corymb

[ kawr-imb, -im, kor- ]

noun

, Botany.

1. a form of inflorescence in which the flowers form a flat-topped or convex cluster, the outermost flowers being the first to open.

corymb

/ ˈkɒrɪmb; -rɪm /

noun

1. an inflorescence in the form of a flat-topped flower cluster with the oldest flowers at the periphery. This type of raceme occurs in the candytuft

corymb

/ kôr′ĭmb,-ĭm /

1. An indeterminate inflorescence whose outer flowers have longer stalks than the inner flowers, so that together they form a round cluster that is rather flat on top. The outer flowers open before the inner ones. Yarrow and the hawthorn have corymbs.
2. See illustration at inflorescence

Derived Forms

• coˈrymbosely, adverb
• ˈcorymbed, adjective
• coˈrymbose, adjective

Other Words From

• corymbed adjective
• corymblike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of corymb¹

1700–10; < Latin corymbus < Greek kórymbos head, top, cluster of fruit or flowers

Word History and Origins

Origin of corymb¹

C18: from Latin corymbus, from Greek korumbos cluster

Example Sentences

The flowers are yellow, about three-quarters of an inch in diameter, and form a compact, terminal corymb.

From Project Gutenberg

Their flower-heads are yellow, arranged in a corymb, and bloom during the whole of the summer.

From Project Gutenberg

It grows from two to four feet high, and bears a corymb of many yellow heads, from July to September.

From Project Gutenberg

The numerous flower-heads are arranged in a corymb, and are about half an inch in diameter, with white ray and yellow disc.

From Project Gutenberg

The flower-heads are bright yellow, large, and arranged in a loose, terminal corymb.

From Project Gutenberg