retrorse

American  

[ri-trawrs, ree-trawrs] / rɪˈtrɔrs, ˈri trɔrs /

adjective

1. turned backward.

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retrorse British  

/ rɪˈtrɔːs /

adjective

1. (esp of plant parts) pointing backwards or in a direction opposite to normal

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Other Word Forms

• retrorsely adverb

Etymology

Origin of retrorse

1815–25; < Latin retrōrsus, contracted form of retrōversus bent backward, equivalent to retrō- retro- + versus (past participle of vertere to turn); see retroversion

Example Sentences

Stem villous with retrorse hairs; leaflets usually longer than 5 cm.

From The Plants of Michigan Simple Keys for the Identification of the Native Seed Plants of the State by Gleason, Henry Allan

Forms occur with the barbs of the awns spreading or retrorse, hybrids with Bidens frondosa or other species.

From The Manual of the Botany of the Northern United States Including the District East of the Mississippi and North of North Carolina and Tennessee by Gray, Asa