peduncle

American  

[pi-duhng-kuhl, pee-duhng-] / pɪˈdʌŋ kəl, ˈpi dʌŋ- /

noun

1. Botany.

   1. a flower stalk, supporting either a cluster or a solitary flower.

   2. the stalk bearing the fruiting body in fungi.

2. Zoology. a stalk or stem; a stalklike part or structure.

3. Anatomy.

   1. a stalklike structure composed of white matter, connecting various regions of the brain.

   2. an attachment process, as in the brachiopods.

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peduncle British  

/ pɪˈdʌŋkjʊlə, pɪˈdʌŋkəl /

noun

1. the stalk of a plant bearing an inflorescence or solitary flower

2. anatomy a stalklike structure, esp a large bundle of nerve fibres within the brain

3. pathol a slender process of tissue by which a polyp or tumour is attached to the body

4. biology another name for pedicel

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peduncle Scientific  

/ pĭ-dŭng′kəl,pē′dŭng′kəl /

1. The stalk that attaches a single flower, flower cluster, or fruit to the stem.

2. See more at flower

3. A stalk supporting an animal organ, such as the eyestalk of a lobster.

4. A slender stalk by which the base of a nonsessile tumor is attached to normal tissue.

5. Any of several stalklike connecting structures in the brain, composed either of white matter or of white and gray matter.

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Other Word Forms

• interpeduncular adjective
• peduncled adjective
• peduncular adjective
• postpeduncular adjective
• prepeduncle noun
• subpeduncle noun
• subpeduncled adjective
• subpeduncular adjective

Etymology

Origin of peduncle

First recorded in 1745–55; from New Latin pedunculus, equivalent to Latin ped-, stem of pēs foot + -unculus diminutive suffix, originally of n-stems; carbuncle, homunculus

Example Sentences

On average, peak bloom occurs about a week after peduncle elongation, although it can occur more quickly if the weather is warm or a little slower if it’s cold.

From Washington Post • Mar. 13, 2023

Nudged ahead by sunshine and highs in the 50s last week, the buds hit Stage 4 out of 6 on Saturday, known as peduncle elongation.

From Washington Post • Mar. 13, 2023

However, if they were to advance beyond the fourth stage of bloom, known as peduncle elongation, when buds are tender and exposed, damage could occur.

From Washington Post • Feb. 16, 2023

The peduncle attaches the flower to the plant.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2015

Involucres 5–8, tubular, 1-fruited, suspended from the apex of the peduncle; perianth none.

From The Manual of the Botany of the Northern United States Including the District East of the Mississippi and North of North Carolina and Tennessee by Gray, Asa

Related Words

• branch
• trunk