peduncle

noun

pe·​dun·​cle ˈpē-ˌdəŋ-kəl  pi-ˈdəŋ- 

1

: a stalk bearing a flower or flower cluster or a fructification

2

: a narrow part by which some larger part or the whole body of an organism is attached : stalk, pedicel

3

: a narrow stalk by which a tumor or polyp is attached

peduncled

ˈpē-ˌdəŋ-kəld. pi-ˈdəŋ- 

adjective

peduncular

pi-ˈdəŋ-kyə-lər 

adjective

Examples of peduncle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Scars from a previous entanglement unrelated to the stranding event were found around the peduncle, which is the muscular area where the tail connects to the body; on the tail itself, and on the right front pectoral flipper. —Wayne Parry, Fortune, 13 Apr. 2024

End of carousel During this peduncle elongation stage, the stalks bearing the blossom buds extend and, while the buds are still closed, the flowers become visible. —Jason Samenow, Washington Post, 12 Mar. 2024

In May 1991 the phantom killer was finally caught with its peduncle on the goods. —Patrick Huyghe, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019

As the frenzy increased, the dinos nearly doubled in size, the peduncle itself becoming swollen and assuming different shapes. —Patrick Huyghe, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019

Word History

Etymology

New Latin pedunculus, diminutive of Latin ped-, pes

First Known Use

1702, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

peduncle

noun

pe·​dun·​cle ˈpē-ˌdəŋ-kəl  pi-ˈdəŋ- 

: a narrow part by which some larger part or the body of a living thing is attached

especially : a stalk that supports a flower cluster

Medical Definition

peduncle

noun

pe·​dun·​cle ˈpē-ˌdəŋ-kəl  pi-ˈ 

1

: a band of white matter joining different parts of the brain see cerebellar peduncle, cerebral peduncle

2

: a narrow stalk by which a tumor or polyp is attached

peduncular

pi-ˈdəŋ-kyə-lər 

adjective