pinnate
Americanadjective
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(of a leaf ) having leaflets or primary divisions arranged on each side of a common stalk.
the pinnate leaves of a palm tree.
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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.
adjective
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like a feather in appearance
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(of compound leaves) having the leaflets growing opposite each other in pairs on either side of the stem
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of pinnate
First recorded in 1695–1705, pinnate is from the Latin word pinnātus “feathered, winged.” See pinna, -ate 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Pinnate leaves generally have their lower blades smaller than the upper ones, the longest being seen sometimes near the apex and sometimes at a distance from it.
From Species and Varieties, Their Origin by Mutation by Vries, Hugo de
The index reference for "Unequally Pinnate" should probably be 58, rather than 65, but was not changed.
From The Elements of Botany For Beginners and For Schools by Gray, Asa
Pinnate leaves are those in which the leaflets are arranged on the sides of a main leaf-stalk; as in Fig. 156-158.
From The Elements of Botany For Beginners and For Schools by Gray, Asa
Pinnate: feather-like; cleft, like the wings of Alucita: with markings resembling a feather: with stiff hairs or thorny processes occupying opposite sides of a thin shank.
From Explanation of Terms Used in Entomology by Smith, John. B.
Pinnate and palmate leaves often vary in the number of their parts.
From Species and Varieties, Their Origin by Mutation by Vries, Hugo de
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
