Bot. Pl. -a. [L. amentum a thong or strap. Cf. AMENT.] A catkin.
1770. Milne, Bot. Dict., A iij. Scales forming an amentum or catkin.
1870. H. Macmillan, Bible Teach., iv. 77. Their [cedars’] fruit consists of an amentum, the pericarps of which, instead of enclosing the seeds, are imbricated woody scales, opening when ripe, and allowing these to fall out.
