bract

noun \ ˈbrakt \

Updated on: 15 Apr 2018

Definition of bract

1 : a leaf from the axil of which a flower or floral axis arises

2 : a leaf borne on a floral axis; especially : one subtending a flower or flower cluster

—

bracteal

play \ˈbrak-tē-əl\ adjective

—

bracteate

play \-tē-ət, -ˌāt\ adjective

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bracted

play \-təd\ adjective

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Recent Examples of bract from the Web

Some other species of dogwood don’t have bracts at all, just clusters of fluffy, delicate small flowers.

— beth botts, chicagotribune.com, "Classic dogwood likely won't survive in Chicago yards, but others will," 4 Apr. 2018
This grows into a tall, rangy shrub whose scarlet bracts appear in the winter.

— adrian higgins, Houston Chronicle, "Dreaming of a white (or pink) poinsettia?," 15 Dec. 2017
This grows into a tall, rangy shrub whose scarlet bracts appear in the winter.

— adrian higgins, kansascity, "Dreaming of a white (or pink) poinsettia?," 14 Dec. 2017
Instead it is achieved by breeding to increase the red pigmentation in the layers of bract cells.

— adrian higgins, kansascity, "Dreaming of a white (or pink) poinsettia?," 14 Dec. 2017
Instead, it is achieved by breeding to increase the red pigmentation in the layers of bract cells.

— adrian higgins, Houston Chronicle, "Dreaming of a white (or pink) poinsettia?," 15 Dec. 2017
The flowers are produced on a long, pendulous stalk with dusky purple bracts.

— NOLA.com, "Banana plants: Answers to all your questions about care, pruning and harvesting fruit," 19 Aug. 2017
If allowed to mature and flower, nutsedge will send up a triangular stem with three long, leaf-like bracts at the base of each flower head (flowers in yellow nutsedge are light brown).

— debbie arrington, sacbee, "How to battle notorious weed when it invades your yard," 11 Aug. 2017
Purple sage there has bloomed already, but the sage still holds bracts of drying flowers.

— anna webb, idahostatesman, "It’s not too late. Higher elevations in Idaho still offer a wildflower show," 10 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'bract.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of bract

New Latin bractea, from Latin, thin metal plate

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First Known Use: 1771

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bract

Definition of bract

bracteal

bracteate

bracted

Recent Examples of bract from the Web

Origin and Etymology of bract

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bracted

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