Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Rachis
‖
Ra′chis
(rā′kĭs)
, Noun.
pl. E.
Rachises
(rā′kĭs-ĕz)
, L. Rachides
(răk′ĭ-dēz)
. [NL., fr. Gr.
ῥάχις
, -ιος
.] [Written also
rhachis
.] 1.
(Anat.)
The spine; the vertebral column.
Definition 2024
rachis
rachis
English
Alternative forms
Noun
rachis (plural rachises or rachides)
- (botany) The main shaft of either a compound leaf, head of grain, or fern frond.
- (zoology, anatomy) The spine or the vertebrae of the spine.
- (ornithology) The central shaft of a feather.
Usage notes
- The plural form rachides is technically erroneous, being based on a mistaken impression of the Ancient Greek stem.
Translations
main shaft of a compound leaf or head of grain