petiole

Meaning

1. The stalk of a leaf, attaching the blade to the stem.
2. A narrow or constricted segment of the body of an insect; especially, the metasomal segment of certain Hymenoptera, such as wasps.
3. The stalk at the base of the nest of the paper wasp.

Synonyms

leafstalk

stalk

stem

keeper

peduncle

stipe

stipule

hand lever

leaf stalk

manubrium

haft

leafstem

helve

hilt

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈpɛti.əʊl/

Etymology

Borrowed from French pétiole, and its source, Late Latin petiolus (“little foot”), diminutive form of Latin pēs (“foot”).