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parenchyma

Parenchyma is defined as the functional part of organ tissue, or tissue found in the soft parts of plants and fruits.

(noun)

An example of parenchyma is the pulp of a fruit.

See parenchyma in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

Anat. the essential or functional tissue of an organ, as distinguished from its connective tissue, blood vessels, etc.
Bot. a soft tissue made up of thin-walled, undifferentiated living cells with air spaces between them, constituting the chief substance of plant leaves and roots, the pulp of fruits, the central portion of stems, etc.
Zool. a spongy mass of tissue packing the spaces between the organs of some invertebrates

Origin: ModL < Gr, anything poured in beside < para-, beside (see para-) + enchyma, infusion < enchein, to pour in < en-, in + cheein, to pour: see found

Related Forms:

parenchymal adjective or parenchymatous
parenchymatously adverb

See parenchyma in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

Anatomy The tissue characteristic of an organ, as distinguished from associated connective or supporting tissues.
Botany The primary tissue of higher plants, composed of thin-walled cells and forming the greater part of leaves, roots, the pulp of fruit, and the pith of stems.

Origin:

Origin: New Latin

Origin: , from Greek parenkhuma, visceral flesh

Origin: , from parenkhein, to pour in beside

Origin: : para-, beside; see para-¹

Origin: + en-, in; see en in Indo-European roots

Origin: + khein, to pour; see gheu- in Indo-European roots

Related Forms: