velamen

noun

ve·​la·​men və-ˈlā-mən How to pronounce velamen (audio)
plural velamina və-ˈla-mə-nə How to pronounce velamen (audio)
: the thick corky epidermis of aerial roots of an epiphytic orchid that absorbs water from the atmosphere

Word History

Etymology

short for New Latin vēlāmen rādicum, literally, "covering of the roots"; Latin vēlāmen "covering," from vēlāre "to cover, clothe" (verbal derivative of vēlum "awning, curtain") + -men, suffix of result — more at veil entry 1

First Known Use

1882, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of velamen was in 1882

Dictionary Entries Near velamen

Vela

velamen

velamentous

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Velamen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/velamen. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about velamen

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