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stipes: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

C2
UK/ˈstaɪpiːz/US/ˈstaɪpiːz/

Technical/Scientific

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Quick answer

What does “stipes” mean?

The supporting stalk or stem-like structure in plants, fungi, or certain invertebrates.

Audio

Pronunciation

Definition

Meaning and Definition

The supporting stalk or stem-like structure in plants, fungi, or certain invertebrates.

In anatomy and zoology, a stalk-like supporting part; in mycology, the stem of a mushroom or toadstool; in botany, a stalk supporting a fruit or spore case; in entomology, the second joint of an insect maxilla.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

No significant difference in meaning or usage. Slight preference for 'stalk' or 'stem' in more general American scientific writing, while 'stipes' remains the precise term in formal taxonomy and morphology in both regions.

Connotations

Purely technical, academic, and descriptive in both varieties.

Frequency

Extremely low frequency in general corpora. Appears almost exclusively in academic journals, field guides, and taxonomic descriptions.

Grammar

How to Use “stipes” in a Sentence

The [adj] stipes supports the [noun].[Noun] with [adj] stipes.The stipes of the [organism] is [adj].

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong
slender stipeswoody stipeshollow stipesstriated stipesfungal stipes
medium
length of the stipesbase of the stipesstipes of the mushroomstipes and pileus
weak
broken stipesobserved stipesmultiple stipes

Examples

Examples of “stipes” in a Sentence

adjective

British English

  • The stipitate gland was examined.
  • A long-stipitate fruit.

American English

  • The stipitate gland was examined.
  • A long-stipitate fruit.

Usage

Meaning in Context

Business

Not used.

Academic

Used in botany, mycology, zoology, and paleontology papers to describe anatomical structures.

Everyday

Virtually never used. A forager might use 'stalk' or 'stem'.

Technical

The primary context. Used in taxonomic keys, morphological descriptions, and scientific illustrations.

Vocabulary

Synonyms of “stipes”

Strong

stipe (singular form)caulicle

Vocabulary

Antonyms of “stipes”

cappileusheadlamellae (gills)

Watch out

Common Mistakes When Using “stipes”

  • Using as a verb.
  • Using 'stipes' as a plural for a singular object (the singular is 'stipe').
  • Mispronouncing as /stɪps/.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

It is a plural noun. The singular form is 'stipe' (/staɪp/).

Yes, in entomology it refers to a specific segment of an insect's mouthparts (the maxilla).

Stalk or stem.

Almost never. It is a highly specialized term.

The supporting stalk or stem-like structure in plants, fungi, or certain invertebrates.

Stipes is usually technical/scientific in register.

Stipes: in British English it is pronounced /ˈstaɪpiːz/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈstaɪpiːz/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

  • “From cap to stipes (meaning: thoroughly, completely, describing the entire mushroom structure).”

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Think of 'STIPES' as the 'STem In Plants, fungI, and inSEctS'.

Conceptual Metaphor

THE SUPPORTING PILLAR (e.g., The stipes is the pillar holding aloft the fungal cap).

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap
In the detailed drawing, the fungus's cap, gills, and long, fibrous were clearly labeled.
Multiple Choice

In which field would you *most likely* encounter the term 'stipes'?

stipes: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples | Lingvocore