petal

¹ American  

[pet-l] / ˈpɛt l /

noun

1. one of the often colored segments of the corolla of a flower.

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-petal ² American  

1. a combining form meaning “seeking, moving toward” that specified by the initial element, used in the formation of compound words.

   acropetal.

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-petal ¹ British  

combining form

1. seeking

   centripetal

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petal ² British  

/ ˈpɛtəl /

noun

1. any of the separate parts of the corolla of a flower: often brightly coloured

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petal Scientific  

/ pĕt′l /

1. One of the often brightly colored parts of a flower surrounding the reproductive organs. Petals are attached to the receptacle underneath the carpels and stamens and may be separate or joined at their bases. As a group, the petals are called the corolla.

2. See more at flower

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Other Word Forms

• petal-like adjective
• petalage noun
• petaled adjective
• petaline adjective
• petalled adjective
• petalless adjective
• petallike adjective
• unpetaled adjective
• unpetalled adjective

Etymology

Origin of petal¹

1695–1705; < New Latin petalum petal, Latin: metal plate < Greek pétalon a thin plate, leaf, noun use of neuter of pétalos spread out, akin to petannýnai to be open, Latin patēre to stand open ( patent )

Origin of -petal¹

< New Latin -pet ( us ) seeking, derivative of Latin petere to seek + -al ¹

Example Sentences

Many bowls display floral patterns with petal numbers that follow clear numerical sequences, including 4, 8, 16, 32, and even groupings of 64 flowers.

From Science Daily

Ama drops the petal to the ground and watches as the entire garden sprouts flames.

From Literature

At a closer glance, I recognize that it’s the same Adinkra symbol Ama used to save me on the Oceans of Epo— that flower petal symbol with the open center.

From Literature

Ama has her hand pushed outward, with an Adinkra symbol scratched into her palm—an illustration that looks like a flower petal with an open center.

From Literature

Other Le Creuset fans are calling it a “bait and switch” after seeing the mystery boxes from a Factory to Table sale in June where people received “full sets” of matching Le Creuset pans and exclusive designs like pumpkin and petal braisers.

From Salon

Related Words

• frond
• needle
• stalk