cyme

noun

ˈsīm

: an inflorescence in which each floral axis terminates in a single flower

especially : a determinate inflorescence of this type containing several flowers with the first-opening central flower terminating the main axis and subsequent flowers developing from lateral buds see inflorescence illustration

Word History

Etymology

New Latin cyma, from Latin, cabbage sprout, from Greek kyma swell, wave, cabbage sprout, from kyein to be pregnant; akin to Sanskrit śvayati it swells, grows

First Known Use

1794, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of cyme was in 1794

See more words from the same year