fruticose

adjective

fru·​ti·​cose ˈfrü-ti-ˌkōs How to pronounce fruticose (audio)
: having a shrubby often branched thallus that grows perpendicular to the substrate
fruticose lichens
compare crustose, foliose

Word History

Etymology

Latin fruticosus, from frutic-, frutex shrub

First Known Use

1882, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of fruticose was in 1882

Dictionary Entries Near fruticose

Cite this Entry

“Fruticose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fruticose. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!