pinnule

pin·nule  (pnyl) also pin·nu·la (pny-l)

n. pl. pin·nules also pin·nu·lae (pny-l)

1. Botany Any of the ultimate leaflets of a bipinnately compound leaf.

2. Zoology A featherlike or plumelike organ or part, such as a small fin, or one of the appendages of a crinoid.

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[Latin pinnula, diminutive of pinna, feather; see pet- in Indo-European roots.]

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pinnu·lar adj.

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pinnule [ˈpɪnjuːl], pinnula [ˈpɪnjʊlə]

n pl pinnules, pinnulae [ˈpɪnjʊˌliː]

1. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Botany) any of the lobes of a leaflet of a pinnate compound leaf, which is itself pinnately divided

2. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Zoology) Zoology any feather-like part, such as any of the arms of a sea lily

[from Latin pinnula, diminutive of pinna feather]

pinnular  adj

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pinnule  (pnyl)

Any of the smaller leaflets into which each leaflet of a bipinnately compound leaf is subdivided. The leaves of many ferns are divided into pinnules.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

pinnule - division of a usually pinnately divided leaf pinna leaflet - part of a compound leaf