Spathe

2 definitions found

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

  Spathe \Spathe\, n. [L. spatha, Gr. ?: cf. F. spathe. See
     {Spade} for digging.] (Bot.)
     A special involucre formed of one leaf and inclosing a
     spadix, as in aroid plants and palms. See the Note under
     {Bract}, and Illust. of {Spadix}.
     [1913 Webster]


  
     Note: The name is also given to the several-leaved involucre
           of the iris and other similar plants.
           [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  spathe
       n : a conspicuous bract surrounding or subtending a spadix or
           other inflorescence