floret

[ flawr-it, flohr- ]

noun

1. a small flower.
2. Botany. one of the closely clustered small flowers that make up the flower head of a composite flower, as the daisy.
3. one of the tightly clustered divisions of a head of broccoli or cauliflower.
4. Also flo·rette [] spun silk obtained from floss.
5. Printing. flower ( def 6 ).

floret

/ ˈflɔːrɪt /

noun

1. a small flower, esp one of many making up the head of a composite flower

floret

/ flôr′ĭt /

1. A small or reduced flower, especially one that is part of a larger inflorescence, such as those of the grasses and plants of the composite family.

Word History and Origins

Origin of floret¹

1350–1400; Middle English flouret < Old French florete, diminutive of flor flower; -et

Word History and Origins

Origin of floret¹

C17: from Old French florete a little flower, from flor flower

Example Sentences

If you look closely at the florets of a cauliflower or the branches of a fern, you’ll see that they’re both made up of the same basic shape repeating itself over and over again, but at smaller and smaller scales.

From Singularity Hub 

This self-similarity is particularly notable in the Romanesco variety because of the distinctive conical shape of its florets.

From Ars Technica

AD BLOCKSimilarly, broccoli stems can seem tough, but except for maybe an inch or so of particularly woody parts, you can peel the stem and chop it for cooking alongside the florets.

From Washington Post

Stir the turmeric brine and pour it into the jars, filling them to submerge the florets.

From Washington Post

Fill each jar about halfway with the florets, then divide the chiles between the jars and fill with the remaining florets.

From Washington Post

If well rubbed after threshing, the floret is nearly smooth, otherwise it contains on the lower half numerous webby hairs.

From Project Gutenberg

Every blade of grass, each leaf, each separate floret and petal, is an inscription speaking of hope.

From Project Gutenberg

It is a tubular floret, split down on one side, with the united petals forming a straplike projection.

From Project Gutenberg

As late as Cotgrave we find floret, "a foile; a sword with the edge rebated."

From Project Gutenberg

The relative positions of the parts of the floret are shown in the floral diagrams.

From Project Gutenberg