achene

or a·kene

[ ey-keen, uh-keen ]

noun

, Botany.

1. any small, dry, hard, one-seeded, indehiscent fruit.

achene

/ əˈkiːn /

noun

1. a dry one-seeded indehiscent fruit with the seed distinct from the fruit wall. It may be smooth, as in the buttercup, or feathery, as in clematis

achene

/ ā-kēn′ /

1. A small, dry, one-seeded fruit in which the seed sits free inside the hollow fruit, attached only by the stem of the ovule. Achenes are indehiscent (they do not split open when ripe). The fruits of the sunflower and elm are achenes.

Derived Forms

• aˈchenial, adjective

Other Words From

• a·che·ni·al [ey-, kee, -nee-, uh, l, uh, -, kee, -], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of achene¹

1835–45; < New Latin achaenium, equivalent to a- a- ⁶ + Greek chain- (stem of chaínein to gape) + Latin -ium -ium

Word History and Origins

Origin of achene¹

C19: from New Latin achaenium that which does not yawn or open, from a- ¹+ Greek khainein to yawn

Example Sentences

Fruit a circumscissile 2-celled capsule, with one or more peltate seeds in each cell, or an achene.

From Project Gutenberg

Ovary 1-celled with a suspended ovule, becoming an achene; calyx none; aquatic herbs, with finely dissected whorled leaves.

From Project Gutenberg

Achene (commonly solitary) enclosed in the 4-angled dry and thickish closed calyx-tube.

From Project Gutenberg

Ovary with a single cell and ovule, tipped with a long laterally stigmatic style, maturing as an achene.

From Project Gutenberg

Achene obtusely triangular, partly 3-celled, enclosed in the indurated calyx.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• kernel