Definition of "parenchyma" [pa•ren•chy•ma]

• Anatomy The tissue characteristic of an organ, as distinguished from associated connective or supporting tissues. (noun)
• Botany The primary tissue of higher plants, composed of thin-walled cells and forming the greater part of leaves, roots, the pulp of fruit, and the pith of stems. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "It is the cell-sap of the ordinary cell tissue or parenchyma, which is colored by the anthocyan, and for this reason all organs possessing this tissue, may exhibit the color in question."
• "Henceforward, if I ever make botanical quotations, I shall always call parenchyma, By-tis; prosenchyma, To-tis; and diachyma, Through-tis, short for By-tissue, To-tissue, and Through-tissue -- then the student will see what all this modern wisdom comes to!"
• "Computer-assisted sterology: point fraction of lung parenchyma and alveolar surface density in fetal and newborn sheep."