trichome

[trik-ohm, trahy-kohm] /ˈtrɪk oʊm, ˈtraɪ koʊm/

noun

Botany. an outgrowth from the epidermis of plants, as a hair.

a microorganism composed of many filamentous cells arranged in strands or chains.

Origin

1870-75; < Greek tríchōma growth of hair. See trich-, -oma

Related forms

trichomic

[trih-kom-ik, -koh-mik] /trɪˈkɒm ɪk, -ˈkoʊ mɪk/ (Show IPA), adjective

Examples from the web for trichome

Hyphae were also observed, in some cases, emerging from stalk cells opposite the trichome head.

British Dictionary definitions for trichome

trichome

/ˈtraɪkəʊm; ˈtrɪk-/

noun

any hairlike outgrowth from the surface of a plant

any of the threadlike structures that make up the filaments of blue-green algae

Derived Forms

trichomic (trɪˈkɒmɪk) adjective

Word Origin

C19: from Greek trikhōma, from trikhoun to cover with hair, from thrix a hair

trichome in Science

trichome

(trĭk'ōm', trī'kōm')
One of the hairlike or bristlelike outgrowths on the epidermis of a plant. Trichomes serve a variety of functions, depending on their location. As root hairs (and as leaf hairs in epiphytes), trichomes absorb water and minerals. As leaf hairs, they reflect radiation, lower plant temperature, and reduce water loss. They also provide defense against insects.