sclerenchyma

[ skli-reng-kuh-muh ]

/ sklɪˈrɛŋ kə mə /

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noun Botany.

supporting or protective tissue composed of thickened, dry, and hardened cells.

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Origin of sclerenchyma

First recorded in 1860–65; scler- + (par)enchyma

OTHER WORDS FROM sclerenchyma

scle·ren·chym·a·tous

[skleer-eng-kim-uh-tuhs, skler-], /ˌsklɪər ɛŋˈkɪm ə təs, ˌsklɛr-/, adjective

Words nearby sclerenchyma

scleral, sclere, sclerectomy, sclereid, sclerema, sclerenchyma, sclerite, scleritis, sclero-, scleroderma, sclerodermatous

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use sclerenchyma in a sentence

The minute inner filaments of sclerenchyma are never continued far up the stalk, and are sometimes wanting altogether.
Beautiful Ferns|Daniel Cady Eaton
One series consists of small bundles lying inside the sclerenchyma ring at the base of each of the connecting bands.
A Handbook of Some South Indian Grasses|Rai Bahadur K. Ranga Achariyar
It is this great development of sclerenchyma that makes the outer portion of the cortex hard.
A Handbook of Some South Indian Grasses|Rai Bahadur K. Ranga Achariyar
On both sides of the larger vascular bundle there are bands of sclerenchyma.
A Handbook of Some South Indian Grasses|Rai Bahadur K. Ranga Achariyar

All the vascular bundles in the leaves of Eragrostis Willdenoviana are provided with sclerenchyma on both the sides.
A Handbook of Some South Indian Grasses|Rai Bahadur K. Ranga Achariyar

British Dictionary definitions for sclerenchyma

sclerenchyma

/ (sklɪəˈrɛŋkɪmə) /

noun

a supporting tissue in plants consisting of dead cells with very thick lignified walls

Derived forms of sclerenchyma

sclerenchymatous (ˌsklɪərɛŋˈkɪmətəs), adjective

Word Origin for sclerenchyma

C19: from sclero- + parenchyma

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

Scientific definitions for sclerenchyma

sclerenchyma

[ sklə-rĕng′kə-mə ]

A supportive tissue of vascular plants, consisting of thick-walled, usually lignified cells. Sclerenchyma cells normally die upon reaching maturity but continue to fulfill their structural purpose in the plant. There are two types of sclerenchyma cells: fiber cells and sclereids. Compare collenchyma parenchyma.