tendril

American  

[ten-dril] / ˈtɛn drɪl /

noun

Botany.

1. a threadlike, leafless organ of climbing plants, often growing in spiral form, which attaches itself to or twines round some other body, so as to support the plant.

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tendril British  

/ ˈtɛndrɪl /

noun

1. a specialized threadlike part of a leaf or stem that attaches climbing plants to a support by twining or adhering

2. something resembling a tendril, such as a wisp of hair

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tendril Scientific  

/ tĕn′drəl /

1. A slender, coiling plant part, often a modified leaf or leaf part, that helps support the stem of some climbing angiosperms by clinging to or winding around an object. Peas, squash, and grapes produce tendrils.

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Other Word Forms

• tendrillar adjective
• tendrilly adjective
• tendrilous adjective

Etymology

Origin of tendril

1530–40; earlier tendrel, variant (perhaps by dissimilation) of Middle English tendren, tendron < Middle French tendron shoot, sprout, cartilage

Example Sentences

Zara’s standing behind me, her normally perfect hair piled on top of her head in a loose knot, small tendrils frizzing out along her hairline.

From Literature

The teapot piece has pea tendril decor, which alludes to my favorite spring garden vegetable.

From Los Angeles Times

Its dead tendrils spread out like long gray fingers.

From Literature

Data provided to The Times by Melissa, a global address provider, shows that most of those displaced in the two fires stayed close to home but they also spread tendrils across the country.

From Los Angeles Times

A tendril of gold light trickled through Jeremy's mind, making him shiver.

From Literature