petal

¹

[pet-l]

noun

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

-petal

²

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

   acropetal.

-petal

¹

combining form

1. seeking

   centripetal

petal

²

/ ˈpɛtəl /

noun

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

petal

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

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

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 -petal²

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of -petal¹

from New Latin -petus, from Latin petere to seek

Origin of -petal²

C18: from New Latin petalum, from Greek petalon leaf; related to petannunai to lie open

Example Sentences

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.

Read more on Salon

The show will see a high-end hairdresser, Lily Petal, opt out of a competitive city scene to buy a small village hairdressers at the top of a cobbled street.

Read more on BBC

Now, instead of Mindy Kaling cooing over her petal addiction, we have France deadpanning, “That is the gayest s**t I’ve seen in a long time.”

Read more on Salon

Wait by a jacaranda tree long enough to see a petal flutter to the ground.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Splurge on handrolled rose petal cones with coconut husk filters for an elevated experience.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• frond 
• needle 
• stalk