In botany, describing a plant ovule or seed that has not turned or twisted during development, with the embryo facing the same direction as at the start.
From Greek a- (not) + tropos (turning). Used in botanical terminology since the 19th century to classify different types of seed orientation, contrasting with campylotropous and anatropous seeds.
Atropous seeds are the botanical equivalent of being 'straight-laced'—while most seeds twist and turn as they develop, atropous ones stay put, keeping their original orientation. It's a tiny detail that helps botanists classify thousands of plant species.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.