dendrite

 
Pronunciation: /ˈdɛndrʌɪt/

noun

  • 1 Physiology a short branched extension of a nerve cell, along which impulses received from other cells at synapses are transmitted to the cell body. Compare with axon
  • 2a crystal or crystalline mass with a branching, tree-like structure.
  • a natural tree-like or moss-like marking on a rock or mineral.

Origin:

early 18th century: from French, from Greek dendritēs 'tree-like', from dendron 'tree'