carpel Bot.
(ˈkɑːpəl)
[mod. f. Gr. καρπ-ός fruit, on type of mod.L. dim. *carpellum; see -el, and cf. F. carpelle.]
One of the divisions or cells of a compound pistil or fruit; or the single cell of which a simple pistil or fruit consists.
| [1817 Dunal Monogr. des Anonacées 13 Il serait utile et commode d'avoir un mot particulier pour exprimer dans un fruit multiple, le fruit partiel résultant de chaque ovaire féconde et développé; je propose ici celui de carpelle, carpellum.] 1835 Lindley Introd. Bot. (1848) I. 372 Carpels are modified leaves. 1869 Gray Bot. §547 It is convenient to have a name which shall designate a single pistil-leaf, whether occurring as a distinct simple pistil, or as an element of a compound pistil. For this purpose the name of Carpel has been devised. 1881 G. Allen in Knowledge No. 4. 65 A little central boss or cushion, supporting several carpels or unripe fruitlets. |