calyx

[key-liks, kal-iks] /ˈkeɪ lɪks, ˈkæl ɪks/

noun, plural calyxes, calyces

[kal-uh-seez, key-luh-] /ˈkæl əˌsiz, ˈkeɪ lə-/ (Show IPA)

Botany. the outermost group of floral parts; the sepals.

Anatomy, Zoology. a cuplike part.

Origin

1665-75; < Latin < Greek kályx husk, covering, akin to kalýptein to veil, cover

Related forms

calycate

[kal-i-keyt] /ˈkæl ɪˌkeɪt/ (Show IPA), adjective

Examples from the web for calyx

Sepals-The leaves or segments of the calyx, or outermost envelope of an ordinary flower.
When polyps are physically stressed, they contract into their calyx so that virtually no part is exposed above their skeleton.
Calcium carbonate is secreted by reef-building polyps and forms a protective cup called a calyx within which the polyps sits.
The epidermis is thin and an enlarged calyx adheres to the base of the fruit.
The petal claws equal the calyx, the petals not exceeding or barely exceeding the calyx lobes.
The calyx is deciduous, meaning it does not persist on the fruits.

British Dictionary definitions for calyx

calyx

/ˈkeɪlɪks; ˈkælɪks/

noun (pl) calyxes, calyces (ˈkælɪˌsiːz; ˈkeɪlɪ-)

the sepals of a flower collectively, forming the outer floral envelope that protects the developing flower bud Compare corolla

any cup-shaped cavity or structure, esp any of the divisions of the human kidney (renal calyx) that form the renal pelvis

Derived Forms

calycate (ˈkælɪˌkeɪt) adjective

Word Origin

C17: from Latin, from Greek kalux shell, from kaluptein to cover, hide

Word Origin and History for calyx

1680s, from Latin calyx, from Greek kalyx "seed pod, husk, outer covering" (of a fruit, flower bud, etc.), from root of kalyptein "to cover, conceal" (see cell). The proper plural is calyces. Some sources connect the word rather with Greek kylix "drinking cup."

calyx in Medicine

calyx ca·lyx (kā'lĭks, kāl'ĭks)
n.
Variant of calix.

calyx in Science

calyx

(kā'lĭks, kāl'ĭks)
The sepals of a flower considered as a group. The calyx is the outermost whorl of a flower. See more at sepal.