raphide

/ ˈreɪfɪs; ˈreɪfaɪd /

noun

1. any of numerous needle-shaped crystals, usually of calcium oxalate, that occur in many plant cells as a metabolic product

raphide

/ rā′fīd /

, Plural raphides răf′ĭ-dēz′

1. One of a bundle of needlelike crystals of calcium oxalate occurring in many plant cells. The crystals discourage animals from eating the plant by irritating their tissues.

Word History and Origins

Origin of raphide¹

C18: from French, from Greek rhaphis needle