multitrichous
|mul-ti-trich-ous|
/ˌmʌltiˈtrɪkəs/
bearing many hairs
Etymology
'multitrichous' originates from the combining form 'multi-' (from Latin 'multus', meaning 'many') and 'trichous', ultimately from Greek 'thrix/τριχ-' meaning 'hair'.
'trichous' derives from Greek 'thrix' (genitive 'trichos') meaning 'hair', entered scientific New Latin/Neo-Latin vocabulary as a combining form 'trich-' plus English adjectival suffix '-ous'; 'multitrichous' was formed in modern biological English by prefixing 'multi-' to this combining form.
Initially the Greek root referred simply to 'hair'; in modern scientific English the compound 'multitrichous' specifically denotes 'having many hair- or hairlike structures' (e.g., trichomes, flagella).
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
having many hairs, bristles, or similar filamentous structures; densely hairy or bearing numerous trichomes/filaments (used especially in biology).
The multitrichous leaf surface was covered in dense, hair-like trichomes that reduced water loss.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/09/17 14:25