subulate

[ soo-byuh-lit, -leyt ]

adjective

, Biology.

1. slender, somewhat cylindrical, and tapering to a point; awl-shaped.

subulate

/ ˈsuːbjəlɪt; -ˌleɪt /

adjective

1. (esp of plant parts) tapering to a point; awl-shaped

Word History and Origins

Origin of subulate¹

1750–60; < New Latin sūbulātus, equivalent to Latin sūbul ( a ) awl + -ātus -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of subulate¹

C18: from New Latin subulatus like an awl, from Latin sūbula awl

Example Sentences

Tentacula depressed, subulate, at the external base of which are the eyes.—Adanson.

From Project Gutenberg

Antenn� cylindrical, thickest near the middle, the terminal half subulate; articulations numerous, very short, hardly perceptible.

From Project Gutenberg

Smooth or nearly so; stem angled, usually branched; leaves oblong to long-lanceolate with narrowed entire base, serrate above with subulate teeth; heads in small, loose clusters; rays 4–7.—Open woods at low elevations in the mountains of Va. and southward.

From Project Gutenberg

Receptacle convex to subulate, chaffy, the scarious chaff not embracing the smooth dorsally compressed achenes.

From Project Gutenberg

Receptacle flat, the scarious chaff falling with the nearly terete wingless and beakless achenes; pappus of 2 stout subulate retrorsely hispid awns.—Smooth herbs, with opposite dissected leaves and pedunculate heads of yellow flowers.

From Project Gutenberg