plumule

[ ploom-yool ]

noun

1. Botany. the bud of the ascending axis of a plant while still in the embryo.
2. Ornithology. a down feather.

plumule

/ ˈpluːmjuːl /

noun

1. the embryonic shoot of seed-bearing plants
2. a down feather of young birds that persists in some adults

plumule

/ plo̅o̅m′yo̅o̅l /

1. The young shoot of a plant embryo, situated above the cotyledons and consisting of the epicotyl and often of immature leaves.
2. See more at germination

Other Words From

• plu·mu·lar [ploom, -y, uh, -ler], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of plumule¹

1720–30; < New Latin, Latin plūmula. See plume, -ule

Word History and Origins

Origin of plumule¹

C18: from Late Latin plūmula a little feather

Example Sentences

The plumule consists of successive layers of rudimentary leaves, the outer enclosing the rest (Fig. 10, 1, c).

From Project Gutenberg

The terminal growing bud of the axis is called the plumule or gemmule (g), and represents the ascending axis.

From Project Gutenberg

Within the cotyledons the primordial leaves are seen, constituting the plumule or first bud of the plant.

From Project Gutenberg

Radicle hardly any; cotyledons thick and fleshy, enclosing a well-developed plumule.

From Project Gutenberg

Embryo thick and fleshy, "with a large concealed cavity at the summit, the plumule curved in a groove on the outside."

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• fringe
• plume