CATKIN

catkin. Catkin, n. the calyx of certain plants like a thong

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Cat″kin (?), n. [[Cat + -kin.]] (Bot.) An ament; a species of inflorescence, consisting of a slender axis with many unisexual apetalous flowers along its sides, as in the willow and poplar, and (as to the staminate flowers) in the chestnut, oak, hickory, etc. — so called from its resemblance to a cat's tail. See Illust. of Ament.