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

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

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.

Read more on Literature

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

Read more on 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.

Read more on 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.

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

Related Words

• frond 
• needle 
• stalk