Main Entry: in·vo·lu·cre

Pronunciation: \ˈin-və-ˌlü-kər\

Function: noun

Etymology: French, from New Latin involucrum

Date: 1785

: one or more whorls of bracts situated below and close to a flower, flower cluster, or fruit

— in·vo·lu·cral \ˌin-və-ˈlü-krəl\ adjective

— in·vo·lu·crate \-krət, -ˌkrāt\ adjective