acrospire

[ ak-ruh-spahyuhr ]

noun

, Botany.

1. the first sprout appearing in the germination of grain; the developed plumule of the seed.

acrospire

/ ˈækrəˌspaɪə /

noun

1. the first shoot developing from the plumule of a germinating grain seed

Word History and Origins

Origin of acrospire¹

1610–20; acro- + spire ¹; replacing akerspire, equivalent to aker ( Old English æchir ear of grain) + spire

Word History and Origins

Origin of acrospire¹

C17: from obsolete akerspire, from aker ear ² + spire sprout, spire ¹; the modern form is influenced by acro-

Example Sentences

When the acrospire has shot but half the length of the grain, the lower part only is converted into that mellow saccharine flour we are solicitous of, whilst the other half exhibits no other signs of it than the whole kernel did at its first germination: let it advance to two thirds of the length, and the lower end will not only have increased its saccharine flavour, but will have proportionably extended its bulk, so as to have left one third part unmalted.

From Project Gutenberg

This, or even less than this, is contended for by many maltsters, as a sufficient advance of the acrospire, which, they say, has done its business, so soon as it has passed the middle of the kernel.

From Project Gutenberg

The vegetation of the grain, together with the turning, will by this time make the watering pot necessary; the criterion by which you will judge of its fitness for the water, is as soon as you perceive the root or acrospire begins to wither.

From Project Gutenberg

By this is meant the farthest advance of the acrospire, when it is just bursting from its confinement, before it has effected its enlargement.

From Project Gutenberg

If the acrospire be suffered to proceed, the mealy substance melts into a liquid sweet, which soon passes into the blade, and leaves the husk entirely exhausted.

From Project Gutenberg