tendril
UK: ˈtɛndrɪl | US: ˈtɛndrəl
n. a slender, curling or threadlike appendage of a climbing plant, used for support or attachment.
n. (figuratively) anything resembling a thin, winding strand or thread.
tendril = tend<to stretch> + ril<diminutive suffix>
- tend (from Latin tendere, meaning "to stretch, extend")
- ril (a diminutive suffix, often implying something small or delicate)
Etymology Origin:
The word "tendril" originates from the Latin tendere ("to stretch"), reflecting the plant's growth habit of extending and reaching for support. The suffix -ril adds a sense of delicacy, emphasizing the thin, winding nature of the structure. Over time, the term evolved in Middle French (tendrillon) before entering English, retaining its botanical and figurative meanings.
The grapevine's tendril coiled tightly around the trellis.
A loose tendril of hair escaped her braid and curled at her temple.
Scientists observed how the plant's tendril responds to touch.
The artist sketched the delicate tendrils of a fern in detail.
Fog drifted through the valley in wispy tendrils.