petiole

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pet·i·ole / ˈpetēˌōl/ • n. Bot. the stalk that joins a leaf to a stem; leafstalk. ∎ Zool. a slender stalk between two structures, esp. that between the abdomen and thorax of a wasp or ant.DERIVATIVES: pet·i·o·lar / ˌpetēˈōlər/ adj.pet·i·o·late / ˈpetēəˌlāt/ adj.

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