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Dictionary Language resources

cotyledon

Syllabification: (cot·y·le·don)

Pronunciation: /ˌkätlˈēdn/

Definition of cotyledon

noun

Botany

an embryonic leaf in seed-bearing plants, one or more of which are the first leaves to appear from a germinating seed.

Derivatives

cotyledonary

Origin:

mid 16th century (denoting a patch of villi on the placenta of mammals): from Latin, 'navelwort' (which has cup-shaped leaves), from Greek kotulēdōn 'cup-shaped cavity', from kotulē 'cup'