tenacle

English

Etymology

From Latin tenaculum, from tenere (“to hold”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈtɛnəkəl/

Noun

tenacle (plural tenacles)

1. (rare) A stalk or shoot by which a plant holds itself up, or by which climbing plants attach themselves to surfaces.
   • 1658, Sir Thomas Browne, The Garden of Cyrus (Folio Society 2007, p. 198)

     And Ivy divided from the root, we have observed to live some years, by the cirrous parts commonly conceived but as tenacles and holdfasts unto it.

Anagrams

• eltenac, latence