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

Ovary with a solitary erect ovule, becoming an achene.

From Project Gutenberg

Carl Linnaeus was not kidding when he chose the name Ambrosia for it: achene, its nutritious fruit, provides lots of calories to wildlife.

From Scientific American

The achene is a dry, one-seeded, indehiscent fruit, the pericarp of which is closely applied to the seed, but separable from it.

From Project Gutenberg

Leontodon autumnalis L. Flowers yellow; achenes light brown, linear, with 5 broad, rounded ribs; achene 4–6.5 mm. long, straight or curved, the outer traversed, with low transverse ridges.

From Project Gutenberg

The uppermost spike or spikes wholly staminate, the lower one or more pistillate; ovary and achene surrounded by a sac, the perigynium.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• kernel