peduncle

[pi-duhng-kuhl, pee-duhng-]

noun

1. Botany.

   1. a flower stalk, supporting either a cluster or a solitary flower.

   2. the stalk bearing the fruiting body in fungi.

2. Zoology.,  a stalk or stem; a stalklike part or structure.

3. Anatomy.

   1. a stalklike structure composed of white matter, connecting various regions of the brain.

   2. an attachment process, as in the brachiopods.

peduncle

/ pɪˈdʌŋkjʊlə, pɪˈdʌŋkəl /

noun

1. the stalk of a plant bearing an inflorescence or solitary flower

2. anatomy a stalklike structure, esp a large bundle of nerve fibres within the brain

3. pathol a slender process of tissue by which a polyp or tumour is attached to the body

4. biology another name for pedicel

peduncle

1. The stalk that attaches a single flower, flower cluster, or fruit to the stem.

2. See more at flower

3. A stalk supporting an animal organ, such as the eyestalk of a lobster.

4. A slender stalk by which the base of a nonsessile tumor is attached to normal tissue.

5. Any of several stalklike connecting structures in the brain, composed either of white matter or of white and gray matter.

Other Word Forms

• peduncled adjective
• peduncular adjective
• interpeduncular adjective
• postpeduncular adjective
• prepeduncle noun
• subpeduncle noun
• subpeduncled adjective
• subpeduncular adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of peduncle¹

First recorded in 1745–55; from New Latin pedunculus, equivalent to Latin ped-, stem of pēs foot + -unculus diminutive suffix, originally of n-stems; carbuncle, homunculus

Word History and Origins

Origin of peduncle¹

C18: from New Latin pedunculus, from Latin pedīculus little foot; see _pedicle

Example Sentences

On average, peak bloom occurs about a week after peduncle elongation, although it can occur more quickly if the weather is warm or a little slower if it’s cold.

From Washington Post

However, if they were to advance beyond the fourth stage of bloom, known as peduncle elongation, when buds are tender and exposed, damage could occur.

From Washington Post

“Unfortunately,” it added, “at some point between then and summer 2018 she encountered gear and was seen with new entanglement wounds on her peduncle and back.”

From The Guardian

Experts studied the buds in the fourth stage of the blooming process, called peduncle elongation, and determined that only about 5 percent of these likely died, Litterst said.

From Washington Post

About 70 percent of the cherry blossoms are in this budding stage, known as peduncle elongation.

From Washington Post

Related Words

• branch 
• trunk