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

It was thought by some that the raphides in the different plants might vary in chemical composition, and thus the difference in their action be accounted for.

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

It was first thought that the raphides found in plants having no acridity, might be of different chemical composition than those which produce this effect.

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

The filtered ether was clear, entirely free from raphides, and had also lost every trace of its acridity.

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

The fuchsia and tradescantia contained bundles of raphides of the same form and equally as fine as those of the acrid plants.

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