n. (pl. rachides) 1 Bot. a a stem of grass etc. bearing flower-stalks at short intervals. b the axis of a compound leaf or frond. 2 Anat. the vertebral column or the cord from which it develops. 3 Zool. a feather-shaft, esp. the part bearing the barbs. rachidial adj.
[ mod.L f. Gk rhakhis spine: the E pl. -ides is erron. ]