aril Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun fleshy and usually brightly colored cover of some seeds that develops from the ovule stalk and partially or entirely envelopes the seed

WordNet


Ar"il, A*ril"lus noun (Also<
  • Aril
  • Arillus
)
Etymology
From LL. arilli dry grapes, perh. fr. L. aridus dry: cf. F,. arille.
Definitions
  1. (Bot.) A exterior covering, forming a false coat or appendage to a seed, as the loose, transparent bag inclosing the seed or the white water lily. The mace of the nutmeg is also an aril. Gray.

Webster 1913