bract

(brakt)

noun

a modified leaf, usually small and scalelike, sometimes large and brightly colored, from whose axil grows a flower or inflorescence

Origin: ModL bractea < L, thin metal plate

Related Forms:

See bract in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
A leaflike or scalelike plant part, usually small, sometimes showy or brightly colored, and located just below a flower, a flower stalk, or an inflorescence.

Origin:

Origin: From Latin bractea, gold leaf

Origin: , perhaps from Greek brakhein, to rattle

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Related Forms:

  • bracˈte·al (brăkˈtē-əl) adjective

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