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Dicotyledon: meaning, definitions and examples

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dicotyledon

 

[ daɪˈkɒtəˌliːdən ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

botanical classification

A dicotyledon, commonly referred to as a dicot, is a type of flowering plant that has two embryonic leaves or cotyledons. These plants typically exhibit a broad range of leaf shapes, structures, and venation patterns. Dicotyledons usually have a taproot system, which means there is a primary root that grows deeper into the soil. Examples include a wide variety of trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants. The distinction between dicots and monocots is fundamental in the study of plant biology and taxonomy.

Synonyms

angiosperm, dicot

Examples of usage

  • Oak trees are typical dicotyledons.
  • Many vegetables, like beans and peas, are dicots.
  • The rose is a popular flowering dicot plant.
  • Dicots generally have net-like leaf venation.

Translations

Translations of the word "dicotyledon" in other languages:

🇵🇹 dicotiledônea

🇮🇳 द्विपत्रक

🇩🇪 Zweikeimblättrige

🇮🇩 dikotil

🇺🇦 дводольні

🇵🇱 dwuliścienne

🇯🇵 双子葉植物

🇫🇷 dicotylédone

🇪🇸 dicotiledónea

🇹🇷 iki çenekli

🇰🇷 쌍떡잎식물

🇸🇦 مزدوجة الأوراق

🇨🇿 dvouděložné

🇸🇰 dvojlisté

🇨🇳 双子叶植物

🇸🇮 dvodročnice

🇮🇸 tvíblöðungar

🇰🇿 екі жапырақты

🇬🇪 ორიპლანიანი

🇦🇿 ikiqatlı

🇲🇽 dicotiledónea

Etymology

The term 'dicotyledon' originates from the early 19th century, combining the Greek words 'di-', meaning 'two', and 'cotyledon', which comes from 'kotyledon', a term used in botany to refer to the seed leaves of a plant. The classification of dicotyledons was important in the development of plant taxonomy during the period when scientists began to systematically categorize and understand plant life. The concept helps differentiate between two major groups of flowering plants, the dicots and monocots, which have distinct features in their seed structure, leaf formations, and overall growth patterns. This classification is crucial for botanists, horticulturists, and ecologists studying plant species and their relationships.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #41,077, this word is among the less frequently used terms in English. While interesting to know, it's not crucial for most English learners unless needed for specific purposes.