involucre noun. ['ɪnvǝl(j)u:kǝ] L16.
[French, or from Latin INVOLUCRUM.]
1. Something which envelops or enwraps; a case, a covering, an envelope; esp. formerly in Anatomy, an envelope of (membranous) tissue. L16.

2. Botany. A whorl or rosette of bracts surrounding an inflorescence (esp. a capitulum), or at the base of an umbel. L18.
partial involucre: see PARTIAL adjective.
b. A sheath of tissue surrounding the male or female sexual organs of some liverworts. L19.

■ invo'lucral adjective (Botany) of or pertaining to an involucre E19.

■ invo'lucrate adjective (Botany) having an involucre M19.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲