an inflorescence in which the first flower is the terminal bud of the main stem and subsequent flowers develop as terminal buds of lateral stems
Derived forms
cymiferous (saɪˈmɪfərəs)
adjective
Word origin
C18: from Latin cӯma cabbage sprout, from Greek kuma anything swollen; see cyma
cyme in American English
(saɪm)
noun
a flat-topped inflorescence formed by a growth pattern in which the initial stem and all subsequent emerging lateral stems terminate with a blossom
Word origin
L cyma, young cabbage sprout < Gr kyma, something swollen, a billow, a wave, young cabbage sprout < kyein, to be pregnant < IE base *eu-, to swell > L cavus, hollow