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tendril

tendril

The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed. | 2008 | Copyright

tendril slender, sensitive structure of many climbing plants that by a response to contact (see auxin ) supports the plant. Tendrils are modified stems, leaves, or leaf parts or roots. Most young tendrils revolve slowly in their natural growth, as do the growing tips of roots and shoots; the tendrils of different plant varieties may have a consistent tendency to clockwise or to counterclockwise spiraling. The most common kind of tendril (pea, grape) coils around a slender support and then contracts spirally, becoming springy and drawing the plant to the support. The disk-tipped tendril (Virginia creeper, Boston ivy) adheres firmly to brick, stone, or wood, after which it too contracts. For other means of climbing in plants, see climbing plant .

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tendril

A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture | 2000 | | Copyright

tendril. Very common architectural ornament resembling plant-like tendrils. In Classical architecture it is associated with acanthus, anthemion, and palmette, and occurs in Celtic and Anglo-Saxon ornament, medieval grapevine or trail, Renaissance and Mannerist arabesque and grotesque, Art Nouveau whiplash and derivations from Celtic and Norse ornament, and many other styles in various guises and variations.

Bibliography

Greenhalgh (ed.) (2000);
Tschudi-Madsen (1967)
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JAMES STEVENS CURL. "tendril." A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

JAMES STEVENS CURL. "tendril." A Dictionary of Architecture and Landscape Architecture. 2000. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O1-tendril.html

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tendril

A Dictionary of Biology | 2004 | Copyright

tendril A slender branched or unbranched structure found in many climbing plants. It may be a modified stem, leaf, leaflet, or petiole. Tendrils respond to contact with solid objects by twining around them (see thigmotropism). The cells that touch the object lose water and decrease in volume in comparison to the outer cells, thus causing the tendril to curve.
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tendril

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English | 2009 | Copyright

ten·dril / ˈtendrəl/ • n. a slender threadlike appendage of a climbing plant, often growing in a spiral form, that stretches out and twines around any suitable support. ∎  something resembling a plant tendril, esp. a slender curl or ringlet of hair.

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tendril

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology | 1996 | | Copyright

tendril slender thread-like appendage of a plant. XVI. prob. alt., after F. dim. †tendrillon, of †tendron young shoot, (pl.) cartilages of the ribs (XIV) — (O)F. tendron tender part or shoot, cartilage :- Rom. *tenerūmen shoots, f. L. tener TENDER1.
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T. F. HOAD. "tendril." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

T. F. HOAD. "tendril." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (February 11, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-tendril.html

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tendril

A Dictionary of Plant Sciences | 1998 | | Copyright

tendril Part of a stem, leaf, or petiole that is modified as a delicate, commonly twisted, thread-like appendage. It is an aid to climbing, as in Cucurbitaceae.
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MICHAEL ALLABY. "tendril." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Encyclopedia.com. 11 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

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tendril

World Encyclopedia | 2005 | Copyright

tendril Coiling part of stem or leaf, a slender, thread-like structure used by climbing plants for support.
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tendril

Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes | 2007 | Copyright

tendril •anthill • Edgehill • sidehill • molehill •foothill • dunghill •sigil, strigil, vigil •strongyle • Virgil • Gaitskell • orchil •roadkill • Danakil • overkill •amyl, Tamil •treadmill • windmill • gristmill •sawmill • watermill • vinyl • mini-pill •overspill • Caryl •mandrel, mandrill •Avril •beryl, Cheryl, chrysoberyl, imperil, Merrill, peril, Sheryl •tendril • April • Cyril • fibril • nombril •nostril • Bovril • tumbril • escadrille •espadrille • gracile • Cecil • utensil •codicil • windowsill •dactyl, pterodactyl •pastille • standstill •dentil, lentil, ventil •quintile • pistil • postil • tormentil •ethyl

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