dendrite

[ den-drahyt ]

noun

1. Petrology, Mineralogy.
   1. a branching figure or marking, resembling moss or a shrub or tree in form, found on or in certain stones or minerals due to the presence of a foreign material.
   2. any arborescent crystalline growth.
2. Anatomy. the branching process of a neuron that conducts impulses toward the cell.

dendrite

/ ˈdɛndraɪt; dɛnˈdrɪtɪk /

noun

1. Also calleddendron any of the short branched threadlike extensions of a nerve cell, which conduct impulses towards the cell body
2. a branching mosslike crystalline structure in some rocks and minerals
3. a crystal that has branched during growth and has a treelike form

dendrite

/ dĕn′drīt′ /

1. Any of several parts branching from the body of a neuron that receive and transmit nerve impulses.
2. A mineral that has a branching crystal pattern. Dendrites often form within or on the surface of other minerals and often consist of manganese oxides.

Derived Forms

• denˈdritically, adverb
• dendritic, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of dendrite¹

1720–30; < Greek dendrī́tēs pertaining to a tree, equivalent to dendr- dendr- + -ītēs -ite ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of dendrite¹

C18: from Greek dendritēs relating to a tree

Example Sentences

The receiving neurons have special docking stations on their dendrites, known as receptors.

From Science News For Students

The neurotransmitters cross a narrow gap between cells to carry their message to a neighbor’s dendrites.

From Science News For Students

The dendrites send each impulse to the main part of the cell.

From Science News For Students

Chemicals released out of the cell here will then be picked up by the dendrites on a neighboring cell.

From Science News For Students

Another issue is that as the lithium ions flow back and forth, needle-like structures known as dendrites can form in the batteries and short-circuit the cell or cause it to catch fire.

From MIT Technology Review

These axon runners from one cell connect through synapses to dendrite runners on other cells.

From Project Gutenberg

Dendrite, den′drīt, n. a mineral in which are figures resembling plants.

From Project Gutenberg