Dictionary
tendril
noun ten·dril \ˈten-drəl\
: the thin stem of a climbing plant that attaches to walls, fences, etc.
: something that is thin and curly
Full Definition of TENDRIL
1
: a leaf, stipule, or stem modified into a slender spirally coiling sensitive organ serving to attach a climbing plant to its support
2
: something suggestive of a tendril <creeping tendrils of fog>
— ten·driled or ten·drilled \-drəld\ adjective
— ten·dril·ous \-drə-ləs\ adjective
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Illustration of TENDRIL
Origin of TENDRIL
probably modification of Middle French tendron bud, cartilage, alteration of Old French tenrum, from Vulgar Latin *tenerumen, from Latin tener tender — more at tender
First Known Use: 1538
Other Botany Terms
TENDRIL Defined for Kids
tendril
noun ten·dril \ˈten-drəl\
Definition of TENDRIL for Kids
1
: a slender leafless winding stem by which some climbing plants attach themselves to a support
2
: something that winds like a plant's tendril <tendrils of hair>
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