Aril

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Aril \Ar"il\, Arillus \A*ril"lus\, n. [From LL. arilli dry
     grapes, perh. fr. L. aridus dry: cf. F,. arille.] (Bot.)
     A exterior covering, forming a false coat or appendage to a
     seed, as the loose, transparent bag inclosing the seed of the
     white water lily. The mace of the nutmeg is also an aril.
     --Gray.


     [1913 Webster] Arllated
     Arillate

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  aril
       n : fleshy and usually brightly colored cover of some seeds that
           develops from the ovule stalk and partially or entirely
           envelopes the seed