tendril

[ ten-dril ]

noun

, Botany.

1. a threadlike, leafless organ of climbing plants, often growing in spiral form, which attaches itself to or twines round some other body, so as to support the plant.

tendril

/ ˈtɛndrɪl /

noun

1. a specialized threadlike part of a leaf or stem that attaches climbing plants to a support by twining or adhering
2. something resembling a tendril, such as a wisp of hair

tendril

/ tĕn′drəl /

1. A slender, coiling plant part, often a modified leaf or leaf part, that helps support the stem of some climbing angiosperms by clinging to or winding around an object. Peas, squash, and grapes produce tendrils.

Derived Forms

• ˈtendrillar, adjective

Other Words From

• tendril·lar tendril·ous adjective
• tendril·ly adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of tendril¹

1530–40; earlier tendrel, variant (perhaps by dissimilation) of Middle English tendren, tendron < Middle French tendron shoot, sprout, cartilage

Word History and Origins

Origin of tendril¹

C16: perhaps from Old French tendron tendril (confused with Old French tendron bud), from Medieval Latin tendō tendon

Example Sentences

But the Laugh Factory incident is but one tendril of Richards’ book, albeit an important one, tying into the dangerous high-wire act of performance in general and stand-up comedy in particular.

From Los Angeles Times

A tiny tendril of smoke curled out of it before the candle ignited.

From Literature

A few painstaking moments later and he has freed his bounty—a small caterpillar perhaps an inch long, caked in earth with a reddish tendril of fungus sprouting from its head.

From National Geographic

When the unrest reaches the neighborhood of tyrants, CNN calls it an “insurrection” and demands the full force of the federal government to quash every last tendril of dissent.

From Washington Times

There, poking up through the soil, was a tiny green tendril.

From Los Angeles Times