raphides

enUK

ra·phide

R0044200 (rā′fīd) also ra·phis (-fĭs)n. pl. raph·i·des (răf′ĭ-dēz′) or ra··phis·es One of a bundle of needlelike crystals of calcium oxalate occurring in many plant cells.
[French, sing. of raphides, from New Latin, from Greek rhaphides, pl. of rhaphis, needle, from rhaptein, to sew; see wer- in Indo-European roots.]

raph•i•des

(ˈræf ɪˌdiz)

n.pl. needle-shaped crystals, usu. composed of calcium oxalate, that occur in bundles in the cells of many plants. [1835–45; < New Latin < Greek rhaphídes, pl. of rhaphís needle]