[a. F. floscule, ad. L. flōscul-us, dim. of flōs flower.]
† 1. Something in the shape of a little flower.
1669. W. Simpson, Hydrol. Chym., 53. What remained was a bright styriate floscule.
† b. An embellishment or ornament (of speech). Obs. Cf. Ger. floskel.
1669. Sir K. Digby’s Closet Open., To Rdr. There needs no Rhetoricating Floscules to set it off.
2. Bot. A small blossom of a composite flower; a floret.
1785. Martyn, Rousseau’s Bot., vi. 63–4. Giving the name of floscules or florets to the little component flowers.
1805. Edin. Rev., VI. 85. If we look upon the flower as compound, then each single anther will constitute a male floscule.
1828. in Webster.
