compound pistil
- noun
- /ˈkɒmpaʊnd ˈpɪstɪl/
- Specialized
- The flower was identified by its distinctive compound pistil composed of three fused carpels.
Examples
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Unlike plants with a single carpel, species with a compound pistil often have more complex fruit structures.
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A compound pistil can be found in many flowering plants.
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Scientists observed the formation of seeds within the compound pistil during the experiment.
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The flower has a compound pistil that is essential for reproduction.
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The flower was identified by its distinctive compound pistil composed of three fused carpels.
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Scientists observed the formation of seeds within the compound pistil during the experiment.
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Unlike plants with a single carpel, species with a compound pistil often have more complex fruit structures.
Synonyms
The part of a flower that receives pollen and makes seeds
How Many Carpels
- Specialized
- Specialized
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning is directly built from 'compound' (composed of several parts) modifying 'pistil' (the female part of a flower), so a learner can infer it denotes a pistil made of multiple fused parts. Although the phrase is botanical and mentions 'carpels' in the full definition, the compositional logic is clear and follows standard English compounding, making it accessible to a B1 learner who knows both constituents.
Etymology
The noun compound pistil describes a flower's main female part when it is made of two or more joined sections called 'carpels'. Picture several small cups stuck together to make one larger cup; the word compound points to many parts and pistil is the flower organ, so the phrase names one organ formed from 'fused' carpels.