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raphide definition

ra·phide (rā′fid, raf′id)

noun pl. raphides raph′i·des′ (raf′ə dēz′, rā′fidz)

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

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

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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