catkin

2 definitions found

catkin - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Catkin \Cat"kin\ (k[a^]t"k[i^]n), n. [Cat + -kin.] (Bot.)
     An ament; a species of inflorescence, consisting of a slender
     axis with many unisexual apetalous flowers along its sides,
     as in the willow and poplar, and (as to the staminate
     flowers) in the chestnut, oak, hickory, etc. -- so called
     from its resemblance to a cat's tail. See Illust. of Ament.
     [1913 Webster]

catkin - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  catkin
      n 1: a cylindrical spikelike inflorescence [syn: catkin,
           ament]