hypocotyl

noun

hy·​po·​cot·​yl ˈhī-pə-ˌkä-tᵊl 

: the part of the axis of a plant embryo or seedling below the cotyledon see seedling illustration

Word History

Etymology

short for hypocotyledonous (stem), from hypo- + cotyledon + -ous

First Known Use

1880, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

hypocotyl

noun

hy·​po·​cot·​yl ˈhī-pə-ˌkät-ᵊl 

: the part of the axis of a plant embryo or seedling below the cotyledons