Rhachises

3 definitions found

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

  Rhachis \Rha"chis\, n.; pl. E. {Rhachises}, L. {Rhachides}. [See
     {Rachis}.] [Written also {rechis}.]
     1. (Anat.) The spine.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. (Bot.)


        (a) The continued stem or midrib of a pinnately compound
            leaf, as in a rose leaf or a fern.
        (b) The principal axis in a raceme, spike, panicle, or
            corymb.
            [1913 Webster]
  
     3. (Zool.)
        (a) The shaft of a feather. The rhachis of the
            after-shaft, or plumule, is called the hyporhachis.
        (b) The central cord in the stem of a crinoid.
        (c) The median part of the radula of a mollusk.
        (d) A central cord of the ovary of nematodes.
            [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  rachis
       n 1: axis of a compound leaf or compound inflorescence
       2: the series of vertebrae forming the axis of the skeleton and
          protecting the spinal cord; "the fall broke his back"
          [syn: {spinal column}, {vertebral column}, {spine}, {backbone},
           {back}]
       [also: {rhachises} (pl)]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  rhachises
       See {rachis}