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raphide

noun
raph·​ide | \ ˈra-ˌfīd How to pronounce raphide (audio) \
plural raphides\ ˈra-​ˌfīdz How to pronounce raphides (audio) , ˈra-​fə-​ˌdēz \

Definition of raphide

: any of the needle-shaped crystals usually of calcium oxalate that develop as metabolic by-products in plant cells

Examples of raphide in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

 These contain crystals of calcium carbonate called raphides, which take the form of microscopic needles. — Kenneth Setzer, miamiherald, "Some of South Florida's most popular plants may be toxic to pets," 14 June 2018

First Known Use of raphide

circa 1842, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for raphide

French & New Latin; French raphide, from New Latin raphides, plural, from Greek rhaphides, plural of rhaphid-, rhaphis needle, from rhaptein

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