WordWeight : Weighing the Words

Pronunciation : Pe*dun"cle
Part of Speech : n.
Etymology : [Formed fr. (assumed) L. pedunculus, dim. of pes, pedis, a foot: cf. F. p?doncule.]
Definition : 1. (Bot.)

Defn: The stem or stalk that supports the flower or fruit of a plant, or a cluster of flowers or fruits.

Note: The ultimate divisions or branches of a peduncle are called pedicels. In the case of a solitary flower, the stalk would be called a peduncle if the flower is large, and a pedicel if it is small or delicate.

2. (Zo?l.)

Defn: A sort of stem by which certain shells and barnacles are attached to other objects. See Illust. of Barnacle.

3. (Anat.)

Defn: A band of nervous or fibrous matter connecting different parts of the brain; as, the peduncles of the cerebellum; the peduncles of the pineal gland.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913