from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Peduncle \Pe*dun"cle\, n. [Formed fr. (assumed) L. pedunculus,
dim. of pes, pedis, a foot: cf. F. p['e]doncule.]
1. (Bot.) The stem or stalk that supports the flower or fruit
of a plant, or a cluster of flowers or fruits.
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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.
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2. (Zool.) A sort of stem by which certain shells and
barnacles are attached to other objects. See Illust. of
{Barnacle}.
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3. (Anat.) 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.
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