catkin

Meaning

A type of inflorescence, consisting of an axis with many unisexual apetalous flowers along its sides, as in the willow and poplar.

Etymology

In summary

From Middle Dutch katteken (“catkin”, literally “little cat”), equivalent to cat + -kin. So named due to the resemblance of lengthier kinds to a kitten's tail, or, perhaps more probably, the fine fur found on some catkins (compare the pictures). Cognate with German Kätzchen, modern Dutch katje.

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English

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