raphides

American  

[raf-i-deez] / ˈræf ɪˌdiz /

plural noun

Botany.

singular

raphide, raphis

1. acicular crystals, usually composed of calcium oxalate, that occur in bundles in the cells of many plants.

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Etymology

Origin of raphides

1835–45; < New Latin < Greek rhaphídes, plural of rhaphís needle

Example Sentences

From this it will be seen that in this case the raphides did not separate from the mucilaginous juice to be held in suspension in the ether.

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 829, November 21, 1891 by Various

The expressed juice was limpid and filled with raphides.

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 829, November 21, 1891 by Various

It was thought by some that the raphides in the different plants might vary in chemical composition, and thus the difference in their action be accounted for.

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 829, November 21, 1891 by Various

The fuchsia and tradescantia contained bundles of raphides of the same form and equally as fine as those of the acrid plants.

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 829, November 21, 1891 by Various

It was now easy to explain why certain plants whose cells were crowded with raphides were bland to the taste, while other plants with the same crystals were extremely acrid.

From Popular Science Monthly Oct, Nov, Dec, 1915 — Volume 86 by Anonymous