lyrate

[ lahy-reyt, -rit ]

adjective

1. Botany. (of a pinnate leaf ) divided transversely into several lobes, the smallest at the base.
2. Zoology. having the shape of a lyre, as the tail of certain birds.

lyrate

/ ˈlaɪərɪt /

adjective

1. shaped like a lyre
2. (of leaves) having a large terminal lobe and smaller lateral lobes

Derived Forms

• ˈlyrately, adverb

Other Words From

• ly·rate·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of lyrate¹

From the New Latin word lyrātus, dating back to 1750–60. See lyre, -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of lyrate¹

C18: from New Latin lyrātus, Latin from lyra lyre

Example Sentences

Rather tall; leaves somewhat fleshy, lyrate or pinnate, the divisions or leaflets crenate or cut-lobed, variable; heads small in a naked corymb; rays 6–12, conspicuous.—Wet grounds, N. Car. to S. Ill.,

From Project Gutenberg

Turnip, tur′nip, n. a biennial plant, with lyrate hispid leaves, the upper part of the root becoming, esp. in cultivation, swollen and fleshy—cultivated as a culinary esculent, and for feeding cattle and sheep.—n.

From Project Gutenberg

Its horns, however, are not lyrate, as in the springbok, but rise first in the plane of its forehead, and then curve boldly forward to the tips.

From Project Gutenberg

The long face, high crest for the horns, which are ringed, lyrate and more or less strongly angulated, and the moderately long tail, are the distinctive features of the hartebeests.

From Project Gutenberg

A little farther on a ruddy antelope, with lyrate horns, leaped out of the bush before them and dashed off towards the river before Blake could string his bow.

From Project Gutenberg