raphe
raphe definition
ra·phe (rā′fē)
noun
- Anat. a seamlike joining of the two lateral halves of an organ, as of the tongue
- Bot.
- a ridge of tissue along the side of an ovule, indicating the position of the vascular bundle which supplies the developing seed
- the line of union of the two carpels in the fruit of members of the umbel family
- a longitudinal fissure along the center of certain diatom shells
Etymology: ModL < Gr rhaphē, seam < rhaptein, to stitch together < IE *werp-, *wrep-, to turn, twist > rhapsody
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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