[ pə'rɛŋkɪmə ]
■ noun
1》 Anatomy the functional tissue of an organ as distinguished from the connective and supporting tissue.
2》 Botany the cellular tissue found in the softer parts of leaves, pulp of fruits, bark and pith of stems, etc.
Derivatives
~l adjective ( chiefly Anatomy ).
~tous adjective ( chiefly Botany ).
Origin
C17: from Gk parenkhuma 'something poured in besides', from para- 'beside' + enkhuma 'infusion'.