decumbent

[ dih-kuhm-buhnt ]

adjective

1. lying down; recumbent.
2. Botany. (of stems, branches, etc.) lying or trailing on the ground with the extremity tending to ascend.

decumbent

/ dɪˈkʌmbənt /

adjective

1. lying down or lying flat
2. botany (of certain stems) lying flat with the tip growing upwards

Derived Forms

• deˈcumbently, adverb
• deˈcumbence, noun

Other Words From

• de·cumbence de·cumben·cy noun
• de·cumbent·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of decumbent¹

1635–45; < Latin dēcumbent- (stem of dēcumbēns ), present participle of dēcumbere. See decubitus, -ent

Word History and Origins

Origin of decumbent¹

C17: from Latin dēcumbēns, present participle of dēcumbere to lie down

Example Sentences

The root of the hoary, decumbent, and less elegant, but larger-flowered Hedysarum mackenzii is poisonous, and nearly killed an old Indian woman at Fort Simpson, who had mistaken it for that of the preceding species.

From Literature

Culms erect or decumbent, 2° high; spikes 6–12, erect or ascending, 1–2´ long, forming a compound spike 3–6´ long; spikelets glabrous, very shortly pedicelled, oblong-lanceolate, nearly 2´´ long.—S.

From Project Gutenberg

Woody at base; two to eight feet high; erect or decumbent.

From Project Gutenberg

"A decumbent hairy form confined to the Lizard."

From Project Gutenberg

The fertile flocci were decumbent, probably from the weight of the spores, and the tufts were a little elevated above the surface of the matrix.

From Project Gutenberg