arbuscule
|ar-bus-cule|
🇺🇸
/ˈɑɹbəskjuːl/
🇬🇧
/ˈɑːbəsˌkjuːl/
small tree-like structure
Etymology
'arbuscule' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'arbusculum', where 'arbuscul-' is a diminutive of 'arbor' meaning 'tree' (hence 'small tree').
'arbusculum' (Latin diminutive of 'arbor') passed into New/Scientific Latin as 'arbuscule' and was adopted into English with a specialized mycological/biological sense referring to a small tree-like fungal structure.
Initially, it meant 'a small tree' in the literal sense, but over time it acquired a specialized meaning in biology as 'a small, tree-like structure formed by mycorrhizal fungi inside plant roots'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a small, highly branched, tree-like structure formed inside root cortical cells by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, where nutrient (especially phosphorus) exchange occurs between fungus and plant.
Arbuscules develop within root cortical cells and facilitate phosphorus uptake by the plant.
Synonyms
Noun 2
(archaic) A small tree or little tree-like plant.
In the old garden description he referred to several arbuscules shading the path.
Last updated: 2025/10/03 13:00