Hypertext Webster Gateway: "spathe"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Spathe \Spathe\, n. [L. spatha, Gr. ?: cf. F. spathe. See
{Spade} for digging.] (Bot.)
A special involucre formed of one leaf and inclosing a
spadix, as in aroid plants and palms. See the Note under
{Bract}, and Illust. of {Spadix}.
Note: The name is also given to the several-leaved involucre
of the iris and other similar plants.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
spathe
n : a conspicuous bract surrounding or subtending a spadix or
other inflorescence
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