tendril

[ten-dril]

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.

tendril

/ 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

tendril

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.

Other Word Forms

• tendrillar adjective
• tendrilous adjective
• tendrilly adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of tendril¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of tendril¹

C16: perhaps from Old French tendron tendril (confused with Old French tendron bud), from Medieval Latin tendō _tendon

Example Sentences

The narrative wisely stays close to Turner and/or Vasquez; there are enough twists and tendrils in the main overlapping plots without running off into less related matters.

From Los Angeles Times

Their plot to dig holes in their parents’ love garden entangles them in the tendrils of their own blooming feelings.

From Los Angeles Times

In these dark times, it's more important than ever to nurse tendrils of joy.

From Salon

Gently and assuredly we understand the way choices seeded in the past wind their tendrils through the life of generations not yet born.

From Salon

The 2022 study focused directly on Jupiter's cyclones, but Siegelman also saw wispy tendrils, known to researchers as filaments, in the spaces between the gassy vortices.

From Science Daily