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Definition of parenchyma - 4 dictionary results

pa⋅ren⋅chy⋅ma

  [puh-reng-kuh-muh]
Use parenchyma in a Sentence
–noun
1. Botany. the fundamental tissue of plants, composed of thin-walled cells able to divide.
2. Anatomy, Zoology. the specific tissue of an animal organ as distinguished from its connective or supporting tissue.
3. Zoology. a type of soft, spongy connective tissue of certain invertebrates, as the flatworms.
4. Pathology. the functional tissue of a morbid growth.
Origin:
1645–55; < NL < Gk parénchyma lit., something poured in beside, equiv. to par- par- + énchyma infusion; see en- 2 , chyme

Related forms:
pa⋅ren⋅chy⋅mal, par⋅en⋅chym⋅a⋅tous  [par-uhng-kim-uh-tuhs] , adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To parenchyma
pa·ren·chy·ma   (pə-rěng'kə-mə)   
n.  

  1. Anatomy The tissue characteristic of an organ, as distinguished from associated connective or supporting tissues.

  2. Botany The primary tissue of higher plants, composed of thin-walled cells and forming the greater part of leaves, roots, the pulp of fruit, and the pith of stems.


[New Latin, from Greek parenkhuma, visceral flesh, from parenkhein, to pour in beside : para-, beside; see para-1 + en-, in; see en in Indo-European roots + khein, to pour; see gheu- in Indo-European roots.]
pa·ren'chy·mal, par'en·chym'a·tous (pār'ěn-kĭm'ə-təs) adj., par'en·chym'a·tous·ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: pa·ren·chy·ma
Pronunciation: p&-'re[ng]-k&-m&
Function: noun
: the essential and distinctive tissue of an organor an abnormal growth as distinguished from its supportive framework
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

parenchyma pa·ren·chy·ma (pə-rěng'kə-mə)
n.
The distinguishing cells of a gland or organ, contained in and supported by the stroma.

pa·ren'chy·mal or par'en·chym'a·tous (pār'ěn-kĭm'ə-təs) adj.
par'en·chym'a·tous·ly adv.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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