Arillus

/ɑːˈrɪləs/ noun

Definition

The singular Latin form of aril; a seed covering or appendage used especially in scientific botanical descriptions.

Etymology

Latin 'arillus,' the formal scientific name for aril structures, retained in botanical nomenclature and historical scientific texts as the authoritative singular form.

Kelly Says

The term 'arillus' shows why scientists kept using Latin—it was the universal language of learning, so a botanist in Poland could read about an 'arillus' and know exactly what a botanist in Italy meant, no translation needed!

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