tiller

views updated May 23 2018

till·er1 / ˈtilər/ • n. a horizontal bar fitted to the head of a boat's rudder post and used as a lever for steering.till·er2 • n. an implement or machine for breaking up soil; a plow or cultivator.till·er3 • n. a lateral shoot from the base of the stem, esp. in a grass or cereal.• v. [intr.] [usu. as n.] (tillering) develop tillers.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

tiller

views updated May 23 2018

tiller beam or stock of a crossbow XV; bar or beam attached to the rudder-head XVII. ME. tiler, telor — AN. telier weaver's beam :- medL. tēlārium, f. L. tēla web.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

tiller

views updated May 11 2018

tiller A shoot that develops at the base of a plant stem from an axillary bud. Tillers are often produced in response to injury of the main stem, as occurs when a tree is lopped.

A Dictionary of Biology

tiller

views updated May 29 2018

tiller In grasses, a lateral shoot arising at ground level.

A Dictionary of Ecology MICHAEL ALLABY

tiller

views updated May 11 2018

tiller In grasses, a lateral shoot arising at ground level.

A Dictionary of Plant Sciences MICHAEL ALLABY

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