from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Inflorescence \In`flo*res"cence\, n. [L. inflorescens, p. pr. of
inflorescere to begin to blossom; pref. in- in + florescere
to begin to blossom: cf. F. inflorescence. See {Florescent}.]
1. A flowering; the putting forth and unfolding of blossoms.
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2. (Bot.)
(a) The mode of flowering, or the general arrangement and
disposition of the flowers with reference to the axis,
and to each other.
(b) An axis on which all the buds are flower buds.
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Inflorescence affords an excellent
characteristic mark in distinguishing the
species of plants. --Milne.
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{Centrifugal inflorescence}, determinate inflorescence.
{Centripetal inflorescence}, indeterminate inflorescence. See
under {Determinate}, and {Indeterminate}.
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from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Determinate \De*ter"mi*nate\, a. [L. determinatus, p. p. of
determinare. See {Determine}.]
1. Having defined limits; not uncertain or arbitrary; fixed;
established; definite.
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Quantity of words and a determinate number of feet.
--Dryden.
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2. Conclusive; decisive; positive.
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The determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God.
--Acts ii. 23.
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3. Determined or resolved upon. [Obs.]
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My determinate voyage. --Shak.
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4. Of determined purpose; resolute. [Obs.]
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More determinate to do than skillful how to do.
--Sir P.
Sidney.
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{Determinate inflorescence} (Bot.), that in which the
flowering commences with the terminal bud of a stem, which
puts a limit to its growth; -- also called {centrifugal
inflorescence}.
{Determinate problem} (Math.), a problem which admits of a
limited number of solutions.
{Determinate quantities}, {Determinate equations} (Math.),
those that are finite in the number of values or
solutions, that is, in which the conditions of the problem
or equation determine the number.
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