acrospire

noun

ac·​ro·​spire

ˈa-krə-ˌspī(-ə)r

plural -s

: the spiral plumule in a germinating grain

Word History

Etymology

alteration (influenced by acr-) of earlier akerspire, acherspire, from English dialect aker, acher ear of grain (from Old English æhher, æcher, ēar) + spire (sprout, blade of grass) (spike of grain)

First Known Use

1675, in the meaning defined above

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