quaternate

[ kwot-er-neyt, kwuh-tur-nit ]

adjective

1. arranged in or consisting of four parts, as the leaves of certain plants.

Word History and Origins

Origin of quaternate¹

1745–55; < Latin quatern ( ī ) four at a time + -ate ¹

Example Sentences

They perform the same functions and bear spicules, sometimes in pairs, sometimes quaternate, each spicule being surmounted by a spore.

From Project Gutenberg

With this introduction we may state that the technical characters of the family are thus expressed:— Hymenium free, mostly naked, or, if enclosed at first, soon exposed; spores naked, mostly quaternate, on distinct spicules = Hymenomycetes.

From Project Gutenberg

A species of cinquefoil, Potentilla Tormentilla, which is distinguished by its quaternate flowers, occurs in Holland in two distinct types, which have proved constant in my cultural experiments.

From Project Gutenberg

With buttercups and brambles and many others there is only an increase above the typical five; quaternate flowers are wanting or at least are very rare.

From Project Gutenberg

This number in one summer amounted to 46 quaternate and 16 quinate leaves, and it was evident that I had secured an instance of the rare "five-leaved" race which I am about to describe.

From Project Gutenberg