hypocotyl

noun

hy·​po·​cot·​yl ˈhī-pə-ˌkä-tᵊl How to pronounce hypocotyl (audio)
: the part of the axis of a plant embryo or seedling below the cotyledon see seedling illustration

Word History

Etymology

short for hypocotyledonous (stem), from hypo- + cotyledon + -ous

First Known Use

1880, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of hypocotyl was in 1880

Dictionary Entries Near hypocotyl

Cite this Entry

“Hypocotyl.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hypocotyl. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

hypocotyl

noun
hy·​po·​cot·​yl ˈhī-pə-ˌkät-ᵊl How to pronounce hypocotyl (audio)
: the part of the axis of a plant embryo or seedling below the cotyledons

More from Merriam-Webster on hypocotyl

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!