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Noun: rachis (rachides,rachises)  rey-kis
Usage: technical
  1. Axis of a compound leaf or compound inflorescence
     
  2. The series of vertebrae forming the axis of the skeleton and protecting the spinal cord
    "the fall broke his rachis";
    - spinal column, vertebral column, spine, backbone, back

Derived forms: rachises, rachides

Type of: axis, skeletal structure

Part of: axial skeleton

Encyclopedia: Rachis