dorsiventral

American  

[dawr-suh-ven-truhl] / ˌdɔr səˈvɛn trəl /

adjective

1. Botany. having distinct dorsal and ventral sides, as most foliage leaves.

2. Zoology. dorsoventral.

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dorsiventral British  

/ ˌdɔːsɪˈvɛntrəl, ˌdɔːsɪvɛnˈtrælɪtɪ /

adjective

1. (of leaves and similar flat parts) having distinct upper and lower faces

2. a variant spelling of dorsoventral

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Other Word Forms

• dorsiventrality noun
• dorsiventrally adverb

Etymology

Origin of dorsiventral

First recorded in 1880–85; dorsi- + ventral

Example Sentences

In Monocotyledons a similar advance from hypogyny to epigyny is observed, and from the dorsiventral to the radial type of flower.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 2, Part 1, Slice 1 by Various

The dorsiventral thallus is constructed on the same plan throughout the group, and shows a lower region composed of cells containing little chlorophyll and an upper stratum specialized for assimilation and transpiration.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Part 3 "Brescia" to "Bulgaria" by Various

With hardly an exception the liverworts are dorsiventral, and usually one side is turned to the substratum and the other exposed to the light.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 4, Part 3 "Brescia" to "Bulgaria" by Various