Rhipidial
/rɪˈpɪdiəl/noun
Relating to a fan-shaped structure or arrangement, especially a botanical inflorescence.
Did you know?The Greek root rhīpis referred to a fan or something fan-shaped, while botanical writers borrowed it to describe branching arrangements that spread like a hand fan.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
ῥιπίς (rhīpis)
“A fan or anything shaped like a fan.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
ῥιπίδος (rhīpidos)
“Of a fan; the genitive form used to build compounds and scientific terms.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
ῥιπίδιον (rhīpidion)
“A little fan or small fan-shaped object.”
19th Century
New Latin
rhipidialis
“Fan-shaped or pertaining to a rhipidium, a fan-like botanical structure.”
Modern English
English
rhipidial
“Relating to a fan-shaped structure or arrangement, especially in botany.”
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