Bennettitales

plural noun

Ben·​net·​ti·​ta·​les
bə-ˌne-tə-ˈtā-(ˌ)lēz
: an order of fossil gymnospermous plants first known from the Carboniferous and probably becoming extinct during the Cretaceous that appear to have derived from the seed ferns but have megasporophylls aggregated into cones and with little resemblance to foliage leaves, that are in general structurally similar to the cycads from which they differ chiefly in having the reproductive organs on the trunk embedded in a thick external covering of persistent leaf bases, and that have been considered as possible ancestors of the angiosperms see bennettitaceae

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Bennettites + -ales

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

Dictionary Entries Near Bennettitales

Cite this Entry

“Bennettitales.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Bennettitales. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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