raphides

American  

[raf-i-deez] / ˈræf ɪˌdiz /

plural noun

Botany.

singular

raphide, raphis

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

The expressed juice was limpid and filled with raphides.

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

A chemical examination proved beyond question that the raphides were of the same composition.

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

It has an opening at each end through which raphides, generated inside, are discharged.

From Webster's Unabridged Dictionary (2nd 100 Pages) by Webster, Noah

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

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