lanceolate

[ lan-see-uh-leyt, -lit ]

adjective

1. shaped like the head of a lance.
2. narrow, and tapering toward the apex or sometimes at the base, as a leaf.

lanceolate

/ -lɪt; ˈlɑːnsɪəˌleɪt /

adjective

1. narrow and tapering to a point at each end

   lanceolate leaves

lanceolate

/ lăn′sē-ə-lāt′ /

1. Tapering from a rounded base toward an apex; lance-shaped. Many willows have lanceolate leaves.

Other Words From

• lance·o·lately adverb
• sub·lance·o·late adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of lanceolate¹

1750–60; < Latin lanceolātus armed with a small lance, equivalent to lanceol ( a ) small lance ( lance ( a ) lance ¹ + -ola -ole ¹ ) + -ātus -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of lanceolate¹

C18: from Late Latin lanceolātus, from lanceola small lance

Example Sentences

Ninebark, with its rich fall tones, went in the other vase, along with the silver-gray foliage of protea lanceolate and its russet seed heads.

From Wall Street Journal

“A twist of a flower petal, lanceolate leaf patterns, the movement of the Eslimi loops,” I suggest.

From The Guardian

The ears are far narrower than those of living rhinos – they’ve even been described as lanceolate in form.

From Scientific American

Interior design, 6 radiating lanceolate or petaloid areas, double-line bordered, containing from 33 to 50 spots.

From Project Gutenberg

Smooth; leaves lanceolate, erect, blunt, tapering into a long-margined petiole, almost entire; petals beardless.—Damp soil; common, especially eastward.

From Project Gutenberg