dendrite

[den-drahyt] /ˈdɛn draɪt/

noun

Petrology, Mineralogy.

a branching figure or marking, resembling moss or a shrub or tree in form, found on or in certain stones or minerals due to the presence of a foreign material.
any arborescent crystalline growth.

Anatomy. the branching process of a neuron that conducts impulses toward the cell.

Origin

1720-30; < Greek dendrī́tēs pertaining to a tree, equivalent to dendr- dendr- + -ītēs -ite¹

Examples from the web for dendrite

The other end leads back down the dendrite into the main body of the neuron.
Let's say there is a quantum fluctuation in a dendrite which gives rise to a tiny current.
When a smell molecule binds to a receptor, the receptor sends a signal up the dendrite to the cell body.
The chemicals break free en route to the next dendrite synapse.

British Dictionary definitions for dendrite

dendrite

/ˈdɛndraɪt/

noun

Also called dendron. any of the short branched threadlike extensions of a nerve cell, which conduct impulses towards the cell body

a branching mosslike crystalline structure in some rocks and minerals

a crystal that has branched during growth and has a treelike form

Derived Forms

dendritic (dɛnˈdrɪtɪk), dendritical, adjective
dendritically, adverb

Word Origin

C18: from Greek dendritēs relating to a tree

Word Origin and History for dendrite

mid-18c., from Greek dendrites "of or pertaining to a tree," from dendron "tree" (see dendro-). The mineral so called for its markings.

dendrite in Medicine

dendrite den·drite (děn'drīt')
n.
Any of the various branched protoplasmic extensions of a nerve cell that conducts impulses from adjacent cells inward toward the cell body. Also called dendritic process, dendron, neurodendrite, neurodendron.

dendrite in Science

dendrite

(děn'drīt')

Any of several parts branching from the body of a neuron that receive and transmit nerve impulses.
A mineral that has a branching crystal pattern. Dendrites often form within or on the surface of other minerals and often consist of manganese oxides.