| 释义 |
spathe|speɪð|
[ad. L. spatha or Gr. σπάθη: see spatha and cf. spath2. So F. spathe.]
1. Bot. A large bract or sheathing-leaf enveloping the inflorescence (usually a spadix) of certain plants, as arums, palms, etc., in such a way as completely to enclose it before expansion.
1785Martyn Lett. Bot. xiv. 154 These [genera]..agree in having a Spathe or sheath instead of a calyx. 1793― Lang. Bot. s.v. Spatha, A Spathe may be one-valved, or two-valved [etc.]. 1811A. T. Thomson Lond. Disp. (1818) 61 The spathe is erect,..covering the fruit till it is nearly ripe, when it drops. 1848Tyas Favourite Field Fl. Ser. i. 3 Near the summit of the flower-stalk is a spathe which originally enveloped the bud. 1870Zoologist Ser. ii. V. 2354 A singular species of Arum, with long curling horns extending from its lurid spathes.
attrib.1882Garden 17 June 424/3 A naked stem, inflated spathe-valves, and somewhat broad leaves.
2. Zool. A spatulate or spoon-shaped part, process, etc.
1891in Cent. Dict.
Hence spathed a., having a spathe (Webster, 1864); ˈspatheful, such a number or quantity as fills a spathe.
1888G. Allen in Good Words 385 The entire spatheful of pollen-bearing flowers. |