ra·phide (r  f d) also ra·phis (-f s)n. pl. raph·i·des (r  f-d z ) One of a bundle of needlelike crystals of calcium oxalate occurring in many plant cells. [French, sing. of raphides, from New Latin, from Greek rhaphides, pl. of rhaphis, needle, from rhaptein, to sew; see wer-2 in Indo-European roots.] |
raphide [ˈreɪfaɪd], raphis [ˈreɪfɪs]
n pl raphides [ˈræfɪˌdiːz]
(Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Biochemistry) any of numerous needle-shaped crystals, usually of calcium oxalate, that occur in many plant cells as a metabolic product
[from French, from Greek rhaphis needle]
| raphide (rfd) Plural raphides (r f-dz) One of a bundle of needlelike crystals of calcium oxalate occurring in many plant cells. The crystals discourage animals from eating the plant by irritating their tissues. |
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