arbuscular
|ar-bus-cu-lar|
🇺🇸
/ˌɑrˈbʌskjələr/
🇬🇧
/ˌɑːrˈbʌskjʊlə(r)/
tree-like; branching
Etymology
'arbuscular' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'arbusculum', where 'arbor' meant 'tree'.
'arbuscular' changed from Medieval/Modern Latin forms such as 'arbuscularis' (derived from 'arbusculum') and was adopted into scientific English as 'arbuscular'.
Initially, it meant 'little tree-like' (a diminutive of 'tree'), but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'relating to tree-like or branched structures, especially arbuscules in mycorrhizal fungi'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
relating to or having arbuscules; forming or characterized by small tree-like (branched) structures, especially referring to certain mycorrhizal fungi that form arbuscules inside plant root cells.
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi form arbuscular structures inside the cortical cells of plant roots to facilitate nutrient exchange.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/10/03 12:46