tendril

[ ten-dril ]

noun

, Botany.

1. a threadlike, leafless organ of climbing plants, often growing in spiral form, which attaches itself to or twines round some other body, so as to support the plant.

tendril

/ ˈtɛndrɪl /

noun

1. a specialized threadlike part of a leaf or stem that attaches climbing plants to a support by twining or adhering
2. something resembling a tendril, such as a wisp of hair

tendril

/ tĕn′drəl /

1. A slender, coiling plant part, often a modified leaf or leaf part, that helps support the stem of some climbing angiosperms by clinging to or winding around an object. Peas, squash, and grapes produce tendrils.

Derived Forms

• ˈtendrillar, adjective

Other Words From

• tendril·lar tendril·ous adjective
• tendril·ly adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of tendril¹

1530–40; earlier tendrel, variant (perhaps by dissimilation) of Middle English tendren, tendron < Middle French tendron shoot, sprout, cartilage

Word History and Origins

Origin of tendril¹

C16: perhaps from Old French tendron tendril (confused with Old French tendron bud), from Medieval Latin tendō tendon

Example Sentences

Their tendrils, which usually move in all directions as they slowly feel their way through their surroundings to find supporting structures to grow on, stopped searching and started to spiral on the spot.

From Nautilus

They could have admired the ruby tendrils of Plagiomnium insigne, or gazed upon the tiny beards of Racomitrium canescens.

From Popular-Science

Herndon’s point is specifically that Juneteenth emerged at a moment when discussion of the tendrils of slavery is being curtailed.

From Washington Post

Of course, it will take more than a few lectures to address centuries-old disparities in medical care, particularly because systemic racism has so many tendrils.

From Time

In further analyses, the team found layers of tissue wrapped around tendrils in the brain tissue.

From Science News

One woman is focused intently on wrapping and unwrapping a tendril of hair around her finger.

From The Daily Beast

The palpi of the male are in this species each provided with a spiral screw resembling the tendril of a vine.

From Project Gutenberg

At last he freed himself from the vine, but a tendril still clung to his horns like a crown of green.

From Project Gutenberg

For answer, Menotah snatched a long tendril of bright green from a neighbouring bush.

From Project Gutenberg

Something of this farm struck a tendril into my heart which neither time nor distance could break.

From Project Gutenberg

But there was something odd—Dalgard brushed aside a tendril of weed which cut his line of vision and so was able to see clearly.

From Project Gutenberg