Lexic.us

Definition of Catkin

1. Noun. A cylindrical spikelike inflorescence.

Definition of Catkin

1. n. An ament; a species of inflorescence, consisting of a slender axis with many unisexual apetalous flowers along its sides, as in the willow and poplar, and (as to the staminate flowers) in the chestnut, oak, hickory, etc. -- so called from its resemblance to a cat's tail. See Illust. of Ament.

Definition of Catkin

1. Noun. (botany) A type of inflorescence, consisting of a slender axis with many unisexual apetalous flowers along its sides, as in the willow and poplar. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Catkin

1. a flower cluster [n -S]

Medical Definition of Catkin

1. A spike in which the flowers are unisexual and without conspicuous perianth. (16 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Catkin

Literary usage of Catkin

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. The Entomologist's Monthly Magazine by Nathaniel Lloyd and Company (1864)
"The lower portion forms a slight point ; the general shape and colour of the anal plate is the shape and colour of one of the scales in a birch catkin. ..."

2. Manual of Tree Diseases by William Howard Rankin (1918)
"The elements of the catkin become larger than normal and at a certain stage are covered by the yellow fruiting-structures of the causal fungus. ..."

3. An Arrangement of British Plants: According to the Latest Improvement of the by William Withering (1830)
"catkin, each scale containing one flower: Bloss. none. flower. Barr. Fl. A nectariferous gland at the bottom of the Pert. FL Style cloven : Caps, ..."

4. A Manual of organic materia medica by John Michael Maisch (1890)
"... pulpy portion is produced from the coalesced three scales forming the upper whorl of the pistillate catkin. ... Fertile catkin and longitudinal section. ..."

5. The Elements of Botany for Beginners and for Schools by Asa Gray (1887)
"Two particular forms of the spike and the head have received particular names, namely, the Spadix and the catkin. 212. A Spadix is a fleshy spike or head, ..."

6. The Geologist by Samuel Joseph Mackie (1861)
"I have only given you fragments of branches, stems, leaves, fruit cones and their seeds or Stem fa), and leaves, catkin (6), seed-vessels (a), ..."

7. Recreative Science: A Record and Remembrancer of Intellectual Observation (1860)
"When a spike of flowers droops, as it does in the poplar, hazel, etc., it is called a catkin, and the fertile flower of the hop (Fig. ..."

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