pulvinus

[ puhl-vahy-nuhs ]

noun

, plural pul·vi·ni [puhl-, vahy, -nahy].

1. Botany. a cushionlike swelling at the base of a leaf or leaflet, at the point of junction with the axis.
2. Architecture. pulvinar ( def 2 ).

pulvinus

/ pʌlˈvaɪnəs /

noun

1. a swelling at the base of a leafstalk: changes in its turgor pressure cause changes in the position of the leaf

Word History and Origins

Origin of pulvinus¹

First recorded in 1855–60, pulvinus is from the Latin word pulvīnus cushion

Word History and Origins

Origin of pulvinus¹

C19: from Latin: cushion

Example Sentences

The specimen employed was a terminal leaflet of Desmodium gyrans (Fig. 122) the pulvinus of which is very sensitive to light.

From Project Gutenberg

Effect of increasing intensity of light on the pulvinus of Desmodium gyrans: Experiment 129.

From Project Gutenberg

Before describing the experiment I shall demonstrate the tropic reactions of the two halves of the pulvinus of Mimosa.

From Project Gutenberg

A series of such positive responses of the upper half of the pulvinus is given in figure 118.

From Project Gutenberg

The velocity of transmission of excitation in a transverse direction through the pulvinus is about 0·011 mm.

From Project Gutenberg