parenchyma

[ puh-reng-kuh-muh ]

/ pəˈrɛŋ kə mə /

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noun

Botany. the fundamental tissue of plants, composed of thin-walled cells able to divide.

Anatomy, Zoology. the specific tissue of an animal organ as distinguished from its connective or supporting tissue.

Zoology. a type of soft, spongy connective tissue of certain invertebrates, as the flatworms.

Pathology. the functional tissue of a morbid growth.

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Origin of parenchyma

1645–55; <New Latin <Greek parénchyma literally, something poured in beside, equivalent to par-par- + énchyma infusion; see en-², chyme

OTHER WORDS FROM parenchyma

pa·ren·chy·mal, par·en·chym·a·tous

[par-uhng-kim-uh-tuhs], /ˌpær əŋˈkɪm ə təs/, adjectivein·ter·pa·ren·chy·mal, adjective

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

British Dictionary definitions for parenchyma

parenchyma

/ (pəˈrɛŋkɪmə) /

noun

unspecialized plant tissue consisting of simple thin-walled cells with intervening air spaces: constitutes the greater part of fruits, stems, roots, etc

animal tissue that constitutes the essential or specialized part of an organ as distinct from the blood vessels, connective tissue, etc, associated with it

loosely-packed tissue filling the spaces between the organs in lower animals such as flatworms

Derived forms of parenchyma

parenchymatous (ˌpærɛŋˈkɪmətəs), adjective

Word Origin for parenchyma

C17: via New Latin from Greek parenkhuma something poured in beside, from para- 1 + enkhuma infusion

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

Scientific definitions for parenchyma

parenchyma

[ pə-rĕng′kə-mə ]

The basic tissue of plants, consisting of cells with thin cellulose walls. The cortex and pith of the stem, the internal layers of leaves, and the soft parts of fruits are made of parenchyma. In contrast to sclerenchyma cells, parenchyma cells remain alive at maturity. They perform various functions, such as water storage, replacement of damaged tissue, and physical support of plant structures. Chloroplasts, the organelles in which photosynthesis takes place, are found in parenchyma cells. Compare collenchyma sclerenchyma.