Main Entry:

pet·al

Pronunciation:

\ˈpe-t^əl\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

New Latin petalum, from Greek petalon; akin to Greek petannynai to spread out — more at fathom

Date:

circa 1726

: one of the modified often brightly colored leaves of the corolla of a flower — see flower illustration

— pet·aled or pet·alled \-t^əld\ adjective

— pet·al·like \-t^əl-ˌ(l)īk\ adjective