raphide

(rā′fid, raf′id)

noun pl. raphides

Bot. a needle-shaped crystal, usually of calcium oxalate, developed singly, or more often in bundles, in a plant cell

Origin: ModL < Gr rhaphis (gen. rhaphidos), needle: for IE base see raphe

See raphide in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun pl. raph·i·des (răfˈĭ-dēzˌ)

One of a bundle of needlelike crystals of calcium oxalate occurring in many plant cells.

Origin:

Origin: French

Origin: , sing. of raphides

Origin: , from New Latin

Origin: , from Greek rhaphides

Origin: , pl. of rhaphis, needle

Origin: , from rhaptein, to sew; see wer-² in Indo-European roots

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