unguiculate

[ uhng-gwik-ye-lit, -leyt ]

adjective

1. bearing or resembling a nail or claw.
2. Zoology. belonging or pertaining to the former superorder Unguiculata, comprising mammals having nails or claws, as distinguished from hoofs.
3. Botany. having a clawlike base, as certain petals.

noun

1. an unguiculate animal.

unguiculate

/ -ˌleɪt; ʌŋˈɡwɪkjʊlɪt /

adjective

1. (of mammals) having claws or nails
2. (of petals) having a clawlike base

noun

1. an unguiculate mammal

Word History and Origins

Origin of unguiculate¹

1795–1805; < New Latin unguiculātus, equivalent to Latin unguicul ( us ) fingernail ( ungu ( is ) ( unguis ) + -i- -i- + -culus -cule ¹ ) + -ātus -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of unguiculate¹

C19: from New Latin unguiculātus, from Latin unguiculus, diminutive of unguis nail, claw

Example Sentences

Perianth withering-persistent, spreading; the petal-like oblong or ovate sepals 1–2-glandular near the more or less narrowed but not unguiculate base, which is either free, or united and coherent with the base of the ovary.

From Project Gutenberg

Foot broad, with two slender posterior appendages; operculum unguiculate.

From Project Gutenberg

Of the unguiculate animals, some are ruminant, with two claws only, as the camel; others are carnivorous, with more numerous claws, as cats, dogs, polecats.

From Project Gutenberg

Corolla of 4 unguiculate petals, between white and straw color, 1′ long.

From Project Gutenberg

Beak straight, the tip hooked, unguiculate: 8 species.

From Project Gutenberg