rachis

Definition of Rachis in English :

1. rachis

axis of a compound leaf or compound inflorescence

the series of vertebrae forming the axis of the skeleton and protecting the spinal cord

Example Sentences:
'the fall broke his back'

WordNet Lexical Database for English. Princeton University. 2010.

Rachis

nounWord forms: plural rachises, rhachises, rachides or rhachides (ˈrækɪˌdiːz , ˈreɪ-)

1. botany

the main axis or stem of an inflorescence or compound leaf

2. ornithology

the shaft of a feather, esp the part that carries the barbs

3. another name for spinal column

nounWord forms: plural ˈrachises or rachides (ˈrækəˌdiz ; rakˈədēzˌ; ˈreɪkəˌdiz ; rāˈkədēzˌ)

1.

spinal column

2. Botany

the principal axis of an inflorescence or of a compound leaf

3. Zoology

the shaft of a feather, esp. that part bearing the barbs

n. pl. ra·chis·es or rach·i·des (răkĭ-dēz′, rākĭ-)

1.

a. The main stem of an elongated inflorescence, as in a grass.

b. The main axis of a pinnately compound leaf or of a fern frond.

2. The main shaft of a bird's feather, especially the part to which the barbs are attached.

3. The spinal column.