epinasty

[ ep-uh-nas-tee ]

nounBotany.
  1. (especially of leaves) increased growth on the upper surface of an organ or part, causing it to bend downward.

Origin of epinasty

1
1875–80; epi- + Greek nast(ós) pressed close + -y3

Other words from epinasty

  • ep·i·nas·tic, adjective

Words Nearby epinasty

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use epinasty in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for epinasty

epinasty

/ (ˈɛpɪˌnæstɪ) /


nounplural -ties
  1. increased growth of the upper surface of a plant part, such as a leaf, resulting in a downward bending of the part: Compare hyponasty

Origin of epinasty

1
C19: from epi- + -nasty, from Greek nastos pressed down, from nassein to press

Derived forms of epinasty

  • epinastic, adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012