Retrorse
/rɪˈtrɔːrs/noun
Pointing or bending backward, especially describing a plant part such as a spine, hair, or bristle.
Did you know?In botanical descriptions, retrorse hairs or spines can act like tiny barbs, making a stem easy to climb in one direction but difficult to slide back down.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*wert-
“To turn, rotate, or change direction”
Ancient Latin
Latin
vertere
“To turn or turn around”
Classical Latin
Latin
retrorsus
“Turned backward or facing back”
Late Latin
Latin
retrorsum
“Backward, toward the rear”
17th Century
English
retrorse
“Pointing backward; a technical term used especially in natural history”
Modern English
English
retrorse
“Directed backward, particularly of botanical hairs, spines, or bristles”