2 definitions found From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]: Rachis \Ra"chis\ (r[=a]"k[i^]s), noun; pl. E. {Rachises} (r[=a]"k[i^]s*[e^]z), L. {Rachides} (r[a^]k"[i^]*d[=e]z). [NL., fr. Gr. "ra'chis, -ios.] [Written also {rhachis}.] 1. (Anat.) The spine; the vertebral column. 2. (Bot. & Zo["o]l.) Same as {Rhachis}. From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]: Rhachis \Rha"chis\, noun; pl. E. {Rhachises}, L. {Rhachides}. [See {Rachis}.] [Written also {rechis}.] 1. (Anat.) The spine. 2. (Bot.) (a) The continued stem or midrib of a pinnately compound leaf, as in a rose leaf or a fern. (b) The principal axis in a raceme, spike, panicle, or corymb. 3. (Zo["o]l.) (a) The shaft of a feather. The rhachis of the after-shaft, or plumule, is called the hyporhachis. (b) The central cord in the stem of a crinoid. (c) The median part of the radula of a mollusk. (d) A central cord of the ovary of nematodes.

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