raphides

American  

[raf-i-deez] / ˈræf ɪˌdiz /

plural noun

Botany.

• raphide,
  singular
• raphis
  singular

1. acicular crystals, usually composed of calcium oxalate, that occur in bundles in the cells of many plants.

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Etymology

Origin of raphides

1835–45; < New Latin < Greek rhaphídes, plural of rhaphís needle

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

raphides

From this it will be seen that in this case the raphides did not separate from the mucilaginous juice to be held in suspension in the ether.

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 829, November 21, 1891 by Various

In this report he expressed the opinion that the acridity of the Indian turnip was due to the presence of these crystals or raphides.

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 829, November 21, 1891 by Various

An examination showed it to be entirely free from raphides, and it had lost every trace of its acridity.

From Popular Science Monthly Oct, Nov, Dec, 1915 — Volume 86 by Anonymous

Crystals, called raphides, in the wood cells, take the edges off tools used in working locust lumber.

From Trees Worth Knowing by Julia Ellen Rogers

It was now easy to explain why certain plants whose cells were crowded with raphides were bland to the taste, while other plants with the same crystals were extremely acrid.

From Popular Science Monthly Oct, Nov, Dec, 1915 — Volume 86 by Anonymous