catkin

English

Etymology

From Middle Dutch katteken (catkin, literally little cat). So named due to the resemblance of lengthier kinds to a kitten's tail, or, perhaps more probably, the fine fur found on some catkins (compare the pictures). Cognate with German Kätzchen, modern Dutch katje. By surface analysis, cat +‎ -kin.

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Noun

catkin (plural catkins)

  1. (botany) A type of inflorescence, consisting of an axis with many unisexual apetalous flowers along its sides, as in the willow and poplar.

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