wood cell (wudsel)

A cell normally entering into the composition of the wood of plants. Wood-cells are one of the regular modifications of prosenchyma, consisting of cell-structures greatly elongated in proportion to their breadth, with very thick walls and usually pointed extremities. When thoroughly lignified, wood-cells take little active part in the metabolism of the plant, their function being mainly to give strength and power of resistance to it. Also called woody fiber. See prosenchyma, ti ue, 4, and cut under disk, 4 (e). wood-charcoal (wud'chär kōl), n. See char coal, 1. woodchat (wud'chat), n. The red-backed shrike or butcher-bird of Africa and Europe, Lanius rufus. Also called L. auriculatus and by other names. It is occasionally seen in Great Britain in summer. The name is misleading, as the bird is not a chat in any proper sense.