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palea
[ pey-lee-uh ]
noun
, plural pa·le·ae [pey, -lee-ee].
- a chafflike scale or bract.
- the scalelike, membranous organ in the flowers of grasses that is situated upon a secondary axis in the axil of the flowering glume and envelops the stamens and pistil.
palea
/ pā′lēə /
, Plural paleae pā′lē-ē′
- The inner or upper of the two bracts enclosing one of the small flowers within a grass spikelet.
- The chaffy scales on the receptacle of a flower head in a plant of the composite family.
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Derived Forms
- paleaceous, adjective
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Other Words From
- pa·le·a·ceous [pey-lee-, ey, -sh, uh, s], pa·le·ate [pey, -lee-it, ‑-eyt], adjective
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Word History and Origins
Origin of palea1
1745–55; < New Latin, special use of Latin palea chaff
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Word History and Origins
Origin of palea1
C18: from Latin: straw, chaff; see pallet 1
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Example Sentences
Pareah (Palea) seems to have been the principal instrument in bringing about this fatal disaster.
From Project Gutenberg
The fourth glume and its palea adhere together by their margins.
From Project Gutenberg
Grain is free and enclosed by the hardened fourth glume and its palea.
From Project Gutenberg
On the other face of the grain which is towards the palea, the hilum is seen at the base.
From Project Gutenberg
The grain is oblong, free within the hardened glume and its palea.
From Project Gutenberg
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