1. Plural of caudex; the main stem or trunk of a tree or woody plant, especially a palm or tree fern.
Usage: botanical term; formal
2. In ancient Roman literature, the original text or manuscript of a work; a source document.
Usage: literary/historical; rare

Examples

• The botanist examined the caudexes of several palm species in the tropical garden.
• Ancient caudexes of classical texts were carefully preserved in the library's archives.
• The thick caudexes of the tree ferns provided structural support for their fronds.
• Scholars compared different caudexes to trace the evolution of the manuscript.
• The caudexes in this forest region can grow to impressive heights over many decades.