arbuscles
|ar-bus-cles|
🇺🇸
/ˈɑɹbəskjuːl/
🇬🇧
/ˈɑːbəskjuːl/
(arbuscule)
small tree-like structure
Etymology
'arbuscule' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'arbuscula', where 'arbor' meant 'tree' and the diminutive suffix '-cula' meant 'small'.
'arbuscule' changed from Medieval/Scientific Latin 'arbuscula' and was adopted into modern scientific English as 'arbuscule' (plural 'arbuscules'); the given form 'arbuscles' is a variant or misspelling.
Initially, it meant 'small tree' in Latin, but over time it evolved into the specialized biological/mycological meaning 'a small tree-like (branched) structure formed inside root cells by certain mycorrhizal fungi'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
plural form (nonstandard spelling of 'arbuscules') referring to 'arbuscule': a small, tree-like (highly branched) structure formed by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi inside the cortical cells of plant roots; more generally, a little branch or branchlet.
The root samples contained abundant arbuscles typical of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/10/03 12:18