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petal

[ pet-l ]
/ ˈpɛt l /
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noun
one of the often colored segments of the corolla of a flower.
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Origin of petal

1695–1705; <New Latin petalum petal, Latin: metal plate <Greek pĂ©talon a thin plate, leaf, noun use of neuter of pĂ©talos spread out, akin to petannĂœnai to be open, Latin patēre to stand open (see patent)

OTHER WORDS FROM petal

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH petal

pedal, peddle, petal

Other definitions for petal (2 of 2)

-petal

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

Origin of -petal

<New Latin -pet(us) seeking, derivative of Latin petere to seek + -al1
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use petal in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for petal (1 of 2)

petal
/ (ˈpɛtəl) /

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

Derived forms of petal

petaline, adjectivepetal-like, adjectivepetalled, adjective

Word Origin for petal

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

British Dictionary definitions for petal (2 of 2)

-petal

adj combining form
seekingcentripetal

Word Origin for -petal

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

Scientific definitions for petal

petal
[ pĕtâ€Čl ]

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.
The American HeritageŸ Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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