n. (pl. placentae or placentas)
1. a flattened circular organ in the uterus of pregnant mammals nourishing and maintaining the foetus through the umbilical cord and expelled after birth.
2 (in flowers) part of the ovary wall carrying the ovules.
Derivatives:
placental adj.
Etymology: L f. Gk plakous -ountos flat cake f. the root of plax plakos flat plate