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raphide
/ ˈreɪfaɪd; ˈreɪfɪs /
noun
- any of numerous needle-shaped crystals, usually of calcium oxalate, that occur in many plant cells as a metabolic product
raphide
/ rā′fīd /
, Plural raphides răf′ĭ-dēz′
- One of a bundle of needlelike crystals of calcium oxalate occurring in many plant cells. The crystals discourage animals from eating the plant by irritating their tissues.
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Word History and Origins
Origin of raphide1
C18: from French, from Greek rhaphis needle
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