premorse

[ pri-mawrs ]

adjective

, Biology.

1. having the end irregularly truncate, as if bitten or broken off.

premorse

/ prɪˈmɔːs /

adjective

1. biology appearing as though the end had been bitten off

   a premorse leaf

Word History and Origins

Origin of premorse¹

1745–55; < Latin praemorsus bitten off in front (past participle of praemordēre ), equivalent to prae- pre- + morsus bitten; morsel

Word History and Origins

Origin of premorse¹

C18: from Latin praemorsus bitten off in front, from praemordēre, from prae in front + mordēre to bite

Example Sentences

Seeds with a large crest.—A low perennial, with thick prostrate premorse rootstocks, surcharged with red-orange acrid juice, sending up in earliest spring a rounded palmate-lobed leaf, and a 1-flowered naked scape.

From Project Gutenberg

Terminating abruptly, as if bitten off; premorse.

From Project Gutenberg

Premorse, prē-mors′, adj. ending abruptly, as if bitten off.

From Project Gutenberg

Leaves premorse, lanceolate, decurrent, downy.

From Project Gutenberg

Premorse: as if bitten off: with a blunt or jagged termination.

From Project Gutenberg