rhachides

1 definition found

rhachides - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Rhachis \Rha"chis\, n.; pl. E. Rhachises, L. Rhachides. [See
     Rachis.] [Written also rechis.]
     1. (Anat.) The spine.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. (Bot.)
        (a) The continued stem or midrib of a pinnately compound
            leaf, as in a rose leaf or a fern.
        (b) The principal axis in a raceme, spike, panicle, or
            corymb.
            [1913 Webster]
  
     3. (Zool.)
        (a) The shaft of a feather. The rhachis of the
            after-shaft, or plumule, is called the hyporhachis.
        (b) The central cord in the stem of a crinoid.
        (c) The median part of the radula of a mollusk.
        (d) A central cord of the ovary of nematodes.
            [1913 Webster]