circinate

[ sur-suh-neyt ]

adjective

1. made round; ring-shaped.
2. Botany, Mycology. rolled up on the axis at the apex, as a leaf or fruiting body.

circinate

/ ˈsɜːsɪˌneɪt /

adjective

1. botany (of part of a plant, such as a young fern) coiled so that the tip is at the centre
2. anatomy resembling a ring or a circle

circinate

/ sûr′sə-nāt′ /

1. Rolled up in the form of a coil with the tip in the center, as an unexpanded fern frond.
2. See more at vernation

Derived Forms

• ˈcirciˌnately, adverb

Other Words From

• circi·nate·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of circinate¹

1820–30; < Latin circinātus (past participle of circināre to make round), equivalent to circin ( us ) pair of compasses (akin to circus ) + -ātus -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of circinate¹

C19: from Latin circināre to make round, from circinus pair of compasses, from circus, see circus

Example Sentences

Ferns, with fronds circinate in vernation, bearing the fructification on the under surface or beneath the margin.

From Project Gutenberg

Most Ferns are circinate in the bud; that is, are rolled up in the manner shown in Fig. 197.

From Project Gutenberg

Scorpioid or Scorpioidal, curved or circinate at the end, 77.

From Project Gutenberg

Parasitic upon Polyzoa, etc. circinate branched--branches irregular divaricate.

From Project Gutenberg