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catkinate

 - 2 dictionary results

cat⋅kin

[kat-kin]
–noun Botany.
a spike of unisexual, apetalous flowers having scaly, usually deciduous bracts, as of a willow or birch.
Also called ament.


Origin:
1570–80; < D katteken little cat (now obs.). See cat1 , -kin


cat⋅kin⋅ate [kat-kuh-neyt] , adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Science Dictionary
catkin   (kāt'kĭn)  Pronunciation Key 
A long, thin, indeterminate inflorescence of tiny, petalless flowers growing on willows, birches, oaks, poplars, and certain other trees. The flowers on a catkin are either all male or all female. The female flowers are usually pollinated by the wind. Also called ament. See illustration at inflorescence.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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