tendril

ten·dril

noun \ˈten-drəl\

Definition of TENDRIL

1

: a leaf, stipule, or stem modified into a slender spirally coiling sensitive organ serving to attach a climbing plant to its support

2

: something suggestive of a tendril <creeping tendrils of fog>

— ten·driled or ten·drilled \-drəld\ adjective

— ten·dril·ous \-drə-ləs\ adjective

Examples of TENDRIL

1. A few tendrils of hair framed her face.

Illustration of TENDRIL

Origin of TENDRIL

probably modification of Middle French tendron bud, cartilage, alteration of Old French tenrum, from Vulgar Latin *tenerumen, from Latin tener tender — more at tender

First Known Use: 1538

Other Botany Terms

annual, burgeon, chloroplast, nomenclature, succulent, sylvan, xylem