rachises

Variant of rachis

rachis definition

ra·chis (rā′kis)

noun pl. rachises ra′·chises or rachides ra·chi·des (rak′ə dēz′, rā′kə-)

  1. spinal column
  2. Bot. the principal axis of an inflorescence or of a compound leaf
  3. Zool. the shaft of a feather, esp. that part bearing the barbs

Etymology: ModL < Gr rhachis, backbone < IE base *wrāĝh-, thorn, point > Lith rãžas, stubble

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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