invaginate

[ verb in-vaj-uh-neyt; adjective in-vaj-uh-nit, -neyt ]

verb (used with object)

, in·vag·i·nat·ed, in·vag·i·nat·ing.

1. to insert or receive, as into a sheath; sheathe.
2. to fold or draw (a tubular organ) back within itself; intussuscept.

verb (used without object)

, in·vag·i·nat·ed, in·vag·i·nat·ing.

1. to become invaginated; undergo invagination.
2. to form a pocket by turning in.

adjective

1. folded or turned back upon itself.
2. sheathed.

invaginate

verb

1. pathol to push one section of (a tubular organ or part) back into itself so that it becomes ensheathed; intussuscept
2. intr (of the outer layer of an organism or part) to undergo invagination

adjective

1. (of an organ or part) folded back upon itself

Derived Forms

• inˈvaginable, adjective

Other Words From

• unin·vagi·nated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of invaginate¹

1650–60; < Medieval Latin invāgīnātus, past participle of invāgīnāre to sheathe. See in- ², vaginate

Word History and Origins

Origin of invaginate¹

C19: from Medieval Latin invāgīnāre, from Latin in- ² + vāgīna sheath

Example Sentences

The oligomers cause the nuclei to fold in on themselves, or "invaginate," disrupting the genetic material contained within.

From Science Daily

The embryo of a moth, a dragon-fly or a bug is invaginated into the yolk at the head end, the portion of the blastoderm necessarily pushed in with it forming the amnion.

From Project Gutenberg

Certain cells do not become invaginated into the segmentation cavity because they possess groups of determinants that impel them to the assumption of inner layer characters.

From Project Gutenberg

The dead outer layer or ectocyst lines part of the portion thus invaginated and forms the walls of a cavity within the orifice.

From Project Gutenberg

The function of this pouch is to form the spermatophore, which is an elastic tube formed of structureless secretion and invaginated into itself.

From Project Gutenberg