[ 'speɪdɪks ]
■ noun ( plural spadices -si:z )
1》 Botany a spike of minute flowers closely arranged round a fleshy axis and typically enclosed in a spathe, characteristic of the arums.
2》 Zoology (in certain invertebrates) a part or organ which is more or less conical in shape.
Origin
C18: via L. from Gk, lit. 'palm branch'.