umbel noun. ['ʌmb(ǝ)l] L16.
[French umbelle (mod. ombelle) or Latin UMBELLA: see -EL².]
1. Botany. An inflorescence (often flat-topped) whose stalks or rays all spring from a common centre, like the spokes of an umbrella. L16.
compound umbel: in which the rays of the umbel at the top of the stem are themselves each terminated by another, smaller umbel. partial umbel, secondary umbel any of the smaller umbels which terminate the primary rays of a compound umbel.

2. Zoology. A similar arrangement of parts in an animal. rare. L19.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲