How Do You Spell ACROSPIRE?

Pronunciation: [ˈakɹəspˌa͡ɪ͡ə] (IPA)

Acrospire is a botanical term used to describe the growing sprout within a grain of barley. The word is pronounced /ˈæk.rəʊ.saɪər/ with the first syllable being stressed. The pronunciation of the word is broken down as follows: the "a" sounds like the "a" in "act," the "o" sounds like the "o" in "go," the "i" sounds like the "i" in "bit," and the "e" sounds like the "er" in "her." The last syllable, "-spire," is pronounced with a long "i" sound like the "i" in "fire."

ACROSPIRE Meaning and Definition

  1. Acrospire refers to the early stage of growth in grains, especially barley, where the young shoot emerges from the seed and develops into a white, elongated extension. It is primarily associated with the germination process of the seed, particularly during malting, a procedure employed in the production of various beverages such as beer and whiskey.

    The acrospire plays a significant role in malting as it marks the beginning of enzymatic activity within the grain, converting starches into sugars required for fermentation. As the acrospire emerges, it elongates and generates enzymes, including amylase, which break down complex carbohydrates into simpler sugars suitable for yeast fermentation. Brewers and distillers monitor the length of the acrospire to determine the degree of modification occurring during malting, impacting the final flavor, body, and conversion efficiency during the brewing or distilling process.

    Understanding and controlling the acrospire is crucial for achieving consistent quality in malt production. In agriculture, the length of the acrospire also serves as an index for the quality of the crop, with shorter acrospires indicating higher-quality grains.

    In summary, acrospire refers to the initial growth stage of a grain shoot during malting. It symbolizes the moment of enzymatic activity, transforming complex carbohydrates into fermentable sugars. The length of the acrospire determines the degree of modification, influencing the final characteristics of alcoholic beverages.

  2. The shoot or sprout at the end of a germinating seed.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Common Misspellings for ACROSPIRE

  • zcrospire
  • scrospire
  • wcrospire
  • qcrospire
  • axrospire
  • avrospire
  • afrospire
  • adrospire
  • aceospire
  • acdospire
  • acfospire
  • actospire
  • ac5ospire
  • ac4ospire
  • acrispire
  • acrkspire
  • acrlspire
  • acrpspire
  • acr0spire
  • acros-pire

Etymology of ACROSPIRE

The word "acrospire" is derived from the combination of two Greek words: "akros" (meaning "topmost" or "extreme") and "speira" (meaning "a spiral" or "a sprout"). The term originated in the field of botany and refers to the sprouting or germinating shoot of a grain or seed.

Plural form of ACROSPIRE is ACROSPIRES

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