strobilus

noun

stro·​bi·​lus strō-ˈbī-ləs How to pronounce strobilus (audio)
ˈstrō-bə-
plural strobili strō-ˈbī-ˌlī How to pronounce strobilus (audio)
ˈstrō-bə-
1
: an aggregation of sporophylls resembling a cone (as in the club mosses and horsetails)
2
: the cone of a gymnosperm

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Late Latin, pine cone, from Greek strobilos twisted object, top, pine cone, from strobos action of whirling; akin to Greek strephein to twist

First Known Use

1771, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of strobilus was in 1771

Dictionary Entries Near strobilus

Cite this Entry

“Strobilus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/strobilus. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

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