botryoid

9.9

Shaped like a cluster of small round parts that look like grapes

adjective
/ˈbɑːtrɪɔɪd/

Specialized

: botrioide

The mineral formed botryoid clusters on the cave walls.

Examples

The artist sculpted the beads into a botryoid pattern for the necklace.
Some tumors exhibit a botryoid appearance under microscopic examination.
The botryoid structure of the mineral caught everyone's attention.
Is that a botryoid formation on the vine?
The mineral formed botryoid clusters on the cave walls.
Some tumors exhibit a botryoid appearance under microscopic examination.
The artist sculpted the beads into a botryoid pattern for the necklace.

Synonyms

boytrose

vsbotryoid

Archaic

9.9

Having the shape of a bunch of grapes

has identical meaning but is a variant form

botryoidal

vsbotryoid

Specialized

9.9

A mineral surface that has many smooth round shapes like a bunch of grapes

is a broader descriptor of grape-cluster appearance beyond mineral uses

grapelike

vsbotryoid

5.0

Like a bunch of small round fruits attached together

focuses on a clustered many-fruit shape rather than a single fruit

How Rounded

globular

11 6.3

botryoid

Specialized

9.9

rounded

1 2.4

nodular

1 7.7

curved

6 1.0

flat

797 1.0

Surface Forms

botryoid positive

Morphology

botryoid = botry (opaque) = botry + oid

The suffix '-oid' signals resemblance, but 'botry' is an uncommon combining form not familiar to average learners, so the overall meaning is not easily derived.

Etymology

Botryoid comes from the Greek word botrys meaning 'bunch of grapes' and the ending -oid meaning 'like'. So something described as botryoid looks like a cluster or 'bunch of grapes', which is why the word names grape-like shapes in medicine, art, and nature.