Parenchyma

2 definitions found

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

  parenchyma \pa*ren"chy*ma\ (p[.a]*r[e^][ng]"k[i^]*m[.a]), n.
     [NL., from Gr. pare`gchyma, fr. paregchei^n to pour in
     beside; para` beside + 'en in + chei^n to pour: cf. F.
     parenchyme.] (Biol.)
     The soft cellular substance of the tissues of plants and
     animals, like the pulp of leaves, the soft tissue of glands,


     and the like.
     [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  parenchyma
       n 1: animal tissue that constitutes the essential part of an
            organ as contrasted with e.g. connective tissue and
            blood vessels
       2: the primary tissue of higher plants composed of thin-walled
          cells that remain capable of cell division even when
          mature; constitutes the greater part of leaves, roots, the
          pulp of fruits, and the pith of stems