Rachis

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ˈɹeɪkɪs/

Alternative forms

• rhachis

Origin

From New Latin, from Ancient Greek ῥάχις ("spine, ridge").

Full definition of rachis

Noun

1. (botany) The main shaft of either a compound leaf, head of grain, or fern frond.
2. (zoology, anatomy) The spine or the vertebrae of the spine.
3. (ornithology) The central shaft of a feather.

Usage notes

The plural form rachides is technically erroneous, being based on a mistaken impression of the Ancient Greek stem.

Anagrams

• chairs
• Sirach