cordate

[ kawr-deyt ]

adjective
  1. heart-shaped: a cordate shell.

  2. (of leaves) heart-shaped, with the attachment at the notched end.

Origin of cordate

1
First recorded in 1645–55; from New Latin cordātus “heart-shaped,” equivalent to Latin cord- (stem of cor ) heart + -ātus -ate1

Other words from cordate

  • cor·date·ly, adverb
  • half-cordate, adjective
  • mul·ti·cor·date, adjective, noun
  • sem·i·cor·date, adjective
  • sub·cor·date, adjective
  • sub·cor·date·ly, adverb

Words Nearby cordate

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use cordate in a sentence

  • The root-leaves are cordate in form, and the upper ones are sessile and angled, half embracing the stem.

    The Sea Shore | William S. Furneaux
  • His description is as follows: Leaves cordate, dentate-serrate, glabrous on both sides.

    The Grapes of New York | U. P. Hedrick
  • Its leaves are cordate and acute, and change either to a bright yellow or a beautiful bronze colour in the autumn.

    Field and Woodland Plants | William S. Furneaux
  • The leaves are cordate or almost round, divided into five or seven shallow, crenate lobes.

    Field and Woodland Plants | William S. Furneaux
  • The heads are terminal, consisting of yellow, ligulate florets, surrounded by five large cordate bracts.

    Field and Woodland Plants | William S. Furneaux

British Dictionary definitions for cordate

cordate

/ (ˈkɔːdeɪt) /


adjective
  1. heart-shaped: a cordate leaf; cordate shells

Derived forms of cordate

  • cordately, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for cordate

cordate

[ kôrdāt′ ]


  1. Having a heart-shaped outline. Often used of leaves, such as those of the morning glory or linden.

The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.