English Lexicon

Cotyledon

/ˌkɒt.ɪˈliː.dən/
nounCEFR B2 (Upper)Top #15000 frequency
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Comprehensive Definitions & Senses

2 senses
As noun
  1. 1

    The first leaf or leaves that develop from a seed after germination.

    "The cotyledon of the bean plant emerged from the soil, signaling the start of its growth."
  2. 2

    A leaf that is part of the embryo of a seed plant.

    "In some species, the cotyledon can be photosynthetic and contribute to the plant's early energy needs."

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Antonyms & Contrasting Words (1)

Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology

The term 'cotyledon' originates from the Greek word 'kotyledon', which referred to a cup or cavity. It evolved in botanical terminology during the 17th century to describe the first leaves that appear from a germinating seed.

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