pinnate

[ pin-eyt, -it ]

adjectiveBiology.
  1. (of a leaf) having leaflets or primary divisions arranged on each side of a common stalk: the pinnate leaves of a palm tree.

  2. resembling a feather, as in construction or arrangement; having parts arranged on each side of a common axis: This type of sea cucumber has a mouth surrounded by up to 25 pinnate tentacles.

Origin of pinnate

1
First recorded in 1695–1705, pinnate is from the Latin word pinnātus “feathered, winged.” See pinna, -ate1
  • Often pin·nat·ed [pin-ey-tid] /ˈpɪn eɪ tɪd/ .

Other words from pinnate

  • pin·nate·ly, pin·nat·ed·ly, adverb
  • mul·ti·pin·nate, adjective

Words Nearby pinnate

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How to use pinnate in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for pinnate

pinnate

pinnated

/ (ˈpɪneɪt, ˈpɪnɪt) /


adjective
  1. like a feather in appearance

  2. (of compound leaves) having the leaflets growing opposite each other in pairs on either side of the stem

Origin of pinnate

1
C18: from Latin pinnātus, from pinna feather

Derived forms of pinnate

  • pinnately, adverb
  • pinnation, noun

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 pinnate

pinnate

[ pĭnāt′ ]


  1. Having parts or divisions arranged on each side of a common axis in the manner of a feather. Ash, hickory, and walnut trees have pinnate leaves.

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