spathe

[ speyth ]

noun

, Botany.

1. a bract or pair of bracts, often large and colored, subtending or enclosing a spadix or flower cluster.

spathe

/ spəˈθeɪʃəs; speɪð /

noun

1. a large bract, often coloured, that surrounds the inflorescence of aroid plants and palms

spathe

/ spāth /

1. A large, leaflike, often showy bract that encloses a flower cluster or spadix, as in the jack-in-the-pulpit or calla lily.

Derived Forms

• spathed, adjective
• spathaceous, adjective

Other Words From

• spathed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of spathe¹

1775–85; < Latin spatha < Greek spáthē blade, sword, stem; spade ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of spathe¹

C18: from Latin spatha, from Greek spathē a blade

Example Sentences

The striped spathe in some species of Arisaema bears a curious resemblance to the head of a cobra uplifted to strike.

From Project Gutenberg

The whole of the spadix is surrounded by a large bract or spathe which is contracted a little distance above its base.

From Project Gutenberg

Aquatic, with the aspect of sea-weeds or mosses, with minute naked flowers from a spathe-like involucre.

From Project Gutenberg

Aquatics, with dicious or polygamous flowers from a spathe; outer perianth calyx-like, the inner sometimes wanting.

From Project Gutenberg

Aquatic, with more or less irregular perfect flowers from a spathe; perianth corolla-like.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• covering