septifragal

[sep-tif-ruh-guhl]

adjective

Botany.

1. (of a capsule) dehiscing by breaking away from the partitions but remaining attached to the common axis; dehiscing at the valves or backs of the carpels but leaving the septa intact.

septifragal

/ sɛpˈtɪfrəɡəl /

adjective

1. (of a dehiscence) characterized by breaking apart from a natural line of division in the fruit

Other Word Forms

• septifragally adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of septifragal¹

C19: from _septi- ² + -fragal, from Latin frangere to break

Example Sentences

This is called Septifragal dehiscence.

From Project Gutenberg

Septifragal, where the valves in dehiscence break away from the partitions, 123.

From Project Gutenberg

Diagram of septifragal dehiscence of the loculicidal type.

From Project Gutenberg

Changed "Sepifragal" to "Septifragal" on page 123: "Septifragal dehiscence."

From Project Gutenberg