Arillus is a term that you may have come across in botanical or medical contexts. It is a term used to describe a specific part of a fruit or seed that is often overlooked. In this article, we will explore the definition, meaning, and associations of arillus.
Definitions
An arillus is a specialized outgrowth from the funiculus or hilum of a seed that covers and protects the seed. It is often fleshy, brightly colored, and fragrant, and it serves to attract animals that will disperse the seeds. The arillus is also known as an aril, sarcotesta, or perisperm.
Origin
The word arillus comes from the Latin word arillus, which means a raisin or grape seed. The term was first used in the botanical context in the 17th century.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, an arillus is “a fleshy appendage, often brightly coloured, that partly or wholly covers the seed in some plants.” The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines it as “an exterior covering or appendage of some seeds (as of the yew) that develops after fertilization from the funiculus or ovule stalk and usually surrounds the seed.”
Associations
Arillus is most commonly associated with the botanical world, as it is a term used to describe a specific part of a plant’s reproductive structure. However, it is also used in medical contexts to describe a type of cyst that can form on the ovaries or testicles.
Synonyms
As mentioned earlier, arillus is also known as an aril, sarcotesta, or perisperm. These terms are often used interchangeably to describe the same structure.
Antonyms
There are no direct antonyms for arillus, as it is a specific term used to describe a unique structure. However, it can be contrasted with other parts of a seed or fruit, such as the seed coat or endosperm.
The same root words
Arillus comes from the Latin word arillus, which also gave rise to the English word “hull.” This is because both arillus and hull refer to a protective covering that surrounds a seed or fruit.
Example Sentences
- The arillus of the yew seed is bright red and attracts birds that will disperse the seeds.
- A cyst on the ovary may be referred to as an ovarian arillus.
- The perisperm, which is sometimes referred to as an arillus, is a nutritive tissue that surrounds the embryo in some seeds.