rhachis
[ rey-kis ]
/ ˈreɪ kɪs /
noun, plural rha·chis·es, rhach·i·des [rak-i-deez, rey-ki-] /ˈræk ɪˌdiz, ˈreɪ kɪ-/.
Words nearby rhachis
Definition for rhachis (2 of 2)
rachis
or rha·chis
[ rey-kis ]
/ ˈreɪ kɪs /
noun, plural ra·chis·es, rach·i·des [rak-i-deez, rey-ki-] /ˈræk ɪˌdiz, ˈreɪ kɪ-/.
Botany.
- the axis of an inflorescence when somewhat elongated, as in a raceme.
- (in a pinnately compound leaf or frond) the prolongation of the petiole along which the leaflets are disposed.
- any of various axial structures.
Ornithology. the part of the shaft of a feather bearing the web.
Anatomy. spinal column.
Origin of rachis
1775–85; < New Latin < Greek rháchis spine, ridge, backbone
OTHER WORDS FROM rachis
ra·chid·i·an [ruh-kid-ee-uh n] /rəˈkɪd i ən/, ra·chi·al [rey-kee-uh l] /ˈreɪ ki əl/, ra·chid·i·al, adjectiveDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
Example sentences from the Web for rhachis
The lower valve of the calyx turned to the rhachis is more than twice as small as the upper.
Rhachis hairy at the base of the flowers, ending in a naked pedicel.
Spikelets 3–12-flowered, somewhat terete, the rhachis with bearded joints; terminal flower abortive.
British Dictionary definitions for rhachis (1 of 2)
rhachis
/ (ˈreɪkɪs) /
noun plural rhachises or rhachides (ˈrækɪˌdiːz, ˈreɪ-)
a variant spelling of rachis
British Dictionary definitions for rhachis (2 of 2)
rachis
rhachis
/ (ˈreɪkɪs) /
noun plural rachises, rhachises, rachides or rhachides (ˈrækɪˌdiːz, ˈreɪ-)
botany the main axis or stem of an inflorescence or compound leaf
ornithol the shaft of a feather, esp the part that carries the barbs
another name for spinal column
Derived forms of rachis
rachial or rhachial (ˈreɪkɪəl) or rachidial or rhachidial (rəˈkɪdɪəl), adjectiveWord Origin for rachis
C17: via New Latin from Greek rhakhis ridge
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Medical definitions for rhachis
rachis
[ rā′kĭs ]
n. pl. ra•chis•es
spinal column
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Scientific definitions for rhachis
rachis
[ rā′kĭs ]
Plural rachises rachides (răk′ĭ-dēz′, rā′kĭ-)
A main axis or shaft, such as the main stem of an inflorescence, the stalk of a pinnately compound leaf, the shaft of a feather, or the spinal column.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.