Pan"i*cle (?), n. [L. panicula a tuft on plants, dim. of panus the thread wound upon the bobbin in a shuttle; cf. Gr. , ; prob. akin to E. pane: cf. F. panicule. See 2d Pane.] Bot.

A pyramidal form of inflorescence, in which the cluster is loosely branched below and gradually simpler toward the end.

<-- Illustr. of a panicle -->

 

© Webster 1913.