alate

[ ey-leyt ]

adjective

1. having wings; winged.
2. having membranous expansions like wings.

noun

1. the winged form of an insect when both winged and wingless forms occur in the species.

alate

/ ˈeɪleɪt /

adjective

1. having wings or winglike extensions

Other Words From

• sub·alate adjective
• sub·alat·ed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of alate¹

1660–70; < Latin ālātus, equivalent to āl ( a ) ala + -ātus -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of alate¹

C17: from Latin ālātus, from āla wing

Example Sentences

Alate -us: winged; with lobes similar to wings in appearance though not necessarily in function.

From Project Gutenberg

So she knew that, since the natives were non-alate, she was not to take wing on Earth.

From Project Gutenberg

Cells more or less pyriform, alate, narrow below, bulging or ventricose upwards.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• feathered