petal
[pet-l]
- one of the often colored segments of the corolla of a flower.
Show More
Origin of petal
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 (see patent)
-petal
- a combining form meaning “seeking, moving toward” that specified by the initial element, used in the formation of compound words: acropetal.
Show More
Origin of -petal
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for petal
Contemporary Examples
The shopper bags continued the petal effect, made perhaps from extra material from a wedding dress covered in rosettes.
He only brushed a flower so lightly with his fingertips that he did not disturb as much as a petal.
He lived in the small town of Petal, Mississippi, across the river from Hattiesburg.
Historical Examples
The fingers that held the petal tingled, and a flush rose in her cheek.
VivietteWilliam J. Locke
A petal fell off; and the taxi driver, brushing past her, ground it into the rug.
SacrificeStephen French Whitman
"The petal of a plum blossom," he said compassionately, in his own tongue.
He saw the sunshine of Eden glint on every leaf and beam in every petal.
Gov. Bob. Taylor's TalesRobert L. Taylor
As petal after petal floats down to earth she becomes artistic.
petal
- any of the separate parts of the corolla of a flower: often brightly coloured
Show More
Word Origin
C18: from New Latin petalum, from Greek petalon leaf; related to petannunai to lie open
-petal
- seekingcentripetal
Show More
Word Origin
from New Latin -petus, from Latin petere to seek
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
Word Origin and History for petal
n.
1726 (earlier petala, 1704), from Modern Latin petalum "petal" (17c.), from Greek petalon "a leaf; leaf of metal, thin plate," noun use of neuter of adj. petalos "outspread, broad, flat," from PIE root *pete- "to spread out" (see pace (n.)). Related: Petaline.
Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
-petal
- Moving toward:basipetal.
Show More
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
petal
[pĕt′l]
- 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. See more at flower.
Show More
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.