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Definition of: rachis
(rā′kis) noun plural ra·chi·des (rā′kə·dēz) or ·chis·es
1. Bot. The axis of an inflorescence; a raceme.
2. Ornithol. The shaft of a feather, especially the part filled with pith, which bears the barbs.
3. Anat. The spinal column. Sometimes spelled rhachis. [<NL <Gk. rhachis spine]
—ra·chi·al (rā′kē·əl) adjective
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