ray flower
noun
1
: one of the marginal flowers of the head in a composite plant (such as the aster) that also has disk flowers
2
: the entire head in a plant (such as chicory) that lacks disk flowers
Examples of ray flower in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Along the edges, each yellow petal corresponded to its own individual ray flower.
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Marion Renault, The New Republic, 20 Dec. 2021
Marion Renault, The New Republic, 20 Dec. 2021
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ray flower.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1839, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near ray flower
Cite this Entry
“Ray flower.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ray%20flower. Accessed 27 Sep. 2023.
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Kids Definition
ray flower
noun
: one of the flowers with long flat petals that grow on the outer edge of the head of a plant (as a daisy) of the composite family
compare disk flower
More from Merriam-Webster on ray flower
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about ray flower
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