petal

[pet-l] /ˈpɛt l/

noun

one of the often colored segments of the corolla of a flower.

Origin

1695-1705; < Neo-Latin petalum petal, Latin: metal plate < Greek pétalon a thin plate, leaf, noun use of neuter of pétalos spread out, akin to petannýnai to be open, Latin patēre to stand open (see patent)

Related forms

petalage, noun

petaled, petalled, adjective

petalless, adjective

petallike, adjective

unpetaled, adjective

unpetalled, adjective

Can be confused

pedal, peddle, petal.

-petal

a combining form meaning “seeking, moving toward” that specified by the initial element, used in the formation of compound words:

acropetal.

Origin

< Neo-Latin -pet(us) seeking, derivative of Latin petere to seek + -al¹

Examples from the web for petal

The kitchen put out similarly impeccable dishes-no radish petal out of place, no crouton unevenly browned.
Before cutting the silicon into the petal shape, the team treated it to form the conductive regions that make a solar cell work.
petal shape may leave your shoulder occasionally exposed.
Small single five-petal flowers, ranging from white to deep pink in color.
Every orchid has a petal modified for pollination, some theatrically so.
Witness a mantis disguised as a flower petal lure its prey to doom.
Many orchids have an oversized petal, or lip, that offers a landing pad for flying insects.
Each petal would represent a different environmental concern.
Used especially to describe a leaf or petal base that is narrowly triangular.
He stares at the rose that is tattooed on her arm and sees a real petal fall off.

British Dictionary definitions for petal

petal

/ˈpɛtəl/

noun

any of the separate parts of the corolla of a flower: often brightly coloured

Derived Forms

petaline, adjective
petal-like, adjective
petalled, adjective

Word Origin

C18: from New Latin petalum, from Greek petalon leaf; related to petannunai to lie open

-petal

combining form

seeking: centripetal

Word Origin

from New Latin -petus, from Latin petere to seek

Word Origin and History for petal

1726 (earlier petala, 1704), from Modern Latin petalum "petal" (17c.), from Greek petalon "a leaf; leaf of metal, thin plate," noun use of neuter of adj. petalos "outspread, broad, flat," from PIE root *pete- "to spread out" (see pace (n.)). Related: Petaline.

petal in Medicine

-petal suff.
Moving toward: basipetal.

petal in Science

petal

(pět'l)
One of the often brightly colored parts of a flower surrounding the reproductive organs. Petals are attached to the receptacle underneath the carpels and stamens and may be separate or joined at their bases. As a group, the petals are called the corolla. See more at flower.