‖ umbella
(ʌmˈbɛlə)
[L.: see umbel.]
1. Bot. An umbel.
| [1693 tr. Blancard's Phys. Dict. (ed. 2), Umbellæ, the Tops of Plants that are like a Bird's Nest.] 1699 Evelyn Acetaria 25 Fennel..expels Wind, sharpens the Sight, and recreates the Brain; especially the tender Umbella and Seed-Pods. 1725 Fam. Dict. s.v. Moly, Bearing a great Umbella of starlike purple Flowers, that continue long before they decay. 1832 Lindley Introd. Bot. 111 Unless they applied the same term to the umbella, the spica, and all other forms of inflorescence. 1856 Henslow Dict. Bot. Terms 206 Umbelliferns, bearing umbels. Assuming the form as an umbella. |
2. Zool. A more or less convex disk supporting the tentacula in Medusæ.
| 1834 M{supc}Murtrie Cuvier's Anim. Kingd. 480 The tentacula, whether situated on the margin of the umbella or round the mouth, vary, not only according to the species, but to the age of the animal. |