# spathe

> English word · Noun · IPA /speɪð/

## Definitions
1. A large bract that envelops or subtends a whole inflorescence, typically a spadix.

## Etymology
From Latin spatha, from Ancient Greek σπάθη (spáthē, “blade”). Doublet of epee, spatha, and spade.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/spathe