catkin

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Jump to navigation Jump to search

English

[edit]
English Wikipedia has an article on:
Wikipedia
catkins
catkins

Etymology

[edit]

From Middle Dutch katteken (catkin, literally little cat), equivalent to cat +‎ -kin. So named due to the resemblance of lengthier kinds to a kitten's tail, or, perhaps more probably, the fine fur found on some catkins (compare the pictures). Cognate with German Kätzchen, modern Dutch katje.

Noun

[edit]

catkin (plural catkins)

  1. (botany) A type of inflorescence, consisting of an axis with many unisexual apetalous flowers along its sides, as in the willow and poplar.

Synonyms

[edit]

Coordinate terms

[edit]

Translations

[edit]

Anagrams

[edit]