alate

American  

[ey-leyt] / ˈeɪ leɪt /

adjective

1. having wings; winged.

2. having membranous expansions like wings.

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noun

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

alate British  

/ ˈeɪleɪt /

adjective

1. having wings or winglike extensions

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Other Word Forms

• subalate
  adjective
• subalated
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of alate

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

Example Sentences

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

From Narrative of the Voyage of H.M.S. Rattlesnake, Commanded By the Late Captain Owen Stanley, R.N., F.R.S. Etc. During the Years 1846-1850. Including Discoveries and Surveys in New Guinea, the Louisiade Archipelago, Etc. to Which Is Added the Account of Mr. E.B. Kennedy's Expedition for the Exploration of the Cape York Peninsula. By John Macgillivray, F.R.G.S. Naturalist to the Expedition. — Volume 1 by MacGillivray, John

This latter name I consider the correct one, for these organs unquestionably preside over alate equilibrium: they are true balancers.

From The Dawn of Reason or, Mental Traits in the Lower Animals by Weir, James

Winged, furnished with wings: swift: wounded in the wing: lofty, sublime: alate, abounding in wings.—adv.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 4 of 4: S-Z and supplements) by Various

An excellent Scholar, ifaith; has proceeded very well alate; come, we'll along with you.

From The Puritaine Widdow by Shakespeare (spurious and doubtful works)

Related Words

• feathered