pentastichous

adjective

pen·​tas·​ti·​chous
(ˈ)pen‧¦tastə̇kəs
: arranged in five orthostichies in such a manner that each leaf diverges from the preceding by an angle equal to two fifths of the circumference of the stem so that the sixth leaf stands above the first
pentastichous arrangement of leaves
pentastichy
⸗ˈ⸗⸗kē
noun
plural -es

Word History

Etymology

New Latin pentastichus, from penta- (from Greek) + -stichus -stichous

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Cite this Entry

“Pentastichous.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pentastichous. Accessed 22 Dec. 2024.

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