Bot. [mod. f. Gr. καρπ-ός fruit, on type of mod.L. dim. *carpellum; see -EL, and cf. F. carpelle.] One of the divisions or cells of a compound pistil or fruit; or the single cell of which a simple pistil or fruit consists.
[1817. Dunal, Monogr. des Anonacées, 13. Il serait utile et commode d’avoir un mot particulier pour exprimer dans un fruit multiple, le fruit partiel résultant de chaque ovaire féconde et développé; je propose ici celui de carpelle, carpellum.]
1835. Lindley, Introd. Bot. (1848), I. 372. Carpels are modified leaves.
1869. Gray, Bot., § 547. It is convenient to have a name which shall designate a single pistil-leaf, whether occurring as a distinct simple pistil, or as an element of a compound pistil. For this purpose the name of Carpel has been devised.
1881. G. Allen, in Knowledge, No. 4. 65. A little central boss or cushion, supporting several carpels or unripe fruitlets.
