plumule

[ ploom-yool ]

noun

1. Botany. the bud of the ascending axis of a plant while still in the embryo.
2. Ornithology. a down feather.

plumule

/ ˈpluːmjuːl /

noun

1. the embryonic shoot of seed-bearing plants
2. a down feather of young birds that persists in some adults

plumule

/ plo̅o̅m′yo̅o̅l /

1. The young shoot of a plant embryo, situated above the cotyledons and consisting of the epicotyl and often of immature leaves.
2. See more at germination

Other Words From

• plu·mu·lar [ploom, -y, uh, -ler], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of plumule¹

1720–30; < New Latin, Latin plūmula. See plume, -ule

Word History and Origins

Origin of plumule¹

C18: from Late Latin plūmula a little feather

Example Sentences

A single piece of down is called a “plumule,” basically a multidirectional puff.

From Salon

Hungarian down is considered to be of the highest quality because the down plumule is larger than normal, making it warmer — which is why it makes perfect economic sense for the Hungarians to specialize in both down and foie gras.

From Salon

Embryo like that of Nymphæa on a large scale; cotyledons thick and fleshy, enclosing a plumule of 1 or 2 well-formed young leaves, enclosed in a delicate stipule-like sheath.

From Project Gutenberg

Cotyledons very thick and fleshy, their contiguous faces coherent, remaining under ground in germination; plumule 2-leaved; radicle curved.—Trees or shrubs.

From Project Gutenberg

Radicle hardly any; cotyledons thick and fleshy, enclosing a well-developed plumule.—Flowers axillary, solitary.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• fringe
• plume