n. 1. Anatomy The tissue characteristic of an organ, as distinguished from associated connective or supporting tissues. 2. Botany A simple plant tissue, composed of thin-walled cells and forming the greater part of leaves, roots, the pulp of fruit, and the pith of stems. [New Latin, from Greek parenkhuma, visceral flesh, from parenkhein, to pour in beside : para-, beside; see PARA-1 + en-, in; see en in the Appendix of Indo-European roots + khein, to pour; see gheu- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] pa·renchy·mal, par′en·chyma·tous (păr′ĕn-kĭmə-təs) adj. |
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