radial-flowered
|ra-di-al-flow-ered|
🇺🇸
/ˈreɪ.di.əl-ˈflaʊ.ərd/
🇬🇧
/ˈreɪ.di.əl-ˈflaʊ.əd/
flowers arranged like rays
Etymology
'radial-flowered' originates from Modern English, specifically a compound of 'radial' and 'flowered', where 'radial' meant 'of or relating to a radius or rays' and 'flowered' meant 'having flowers'.
'radial' comes from Latin 'radialis' (from 'radius' meaning 'ray'); 'flowered' derives from Old English/Old French roots for 'flower' (Old English 'blōma', Old French 'flor'), and the compound developed in modern botanical English by combining the adjective-forming '-ed' with 'flower'.
Initially, 'radial' meant 'pertaining to a ray' and 'flowered' meant 'bearing flowers'; over time the compound came to denote specifically 'bearing flowers with radial symmetry' in botanical usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
having flowers that show radial symmetry (actinomorphic), i.e., floral parts arranged like rays around a central point.
Many wildflowers in the meadow are radial-flowered, their petals arranged like spokes on a wheel.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/12/23 13:19