cordate

[kawr-deyt]

adjective

1. heart-shaped.

   a cordate shell.

2. (of leaves) heart-shaped, with the attachment at the notched end.

cordate

/ ˈkɔːdeɪt /

adjective

1. heart-shaped

   a cordate leaf

   cordate shells

cordate

1. Having a heart-shaped outline. Often used of leaves, such as those of the morning glory or linden.

Other Word Forms

• cordately adverb
• half-cordate adjective
• multicordate adjective
• semicordate adjective
• subcordate adjective
• subcordately adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of cordate¹

First recorded in 1645–55; from New Latin cordātus “heart-shaped,” equivalent to Latin cord- (stem of cor ) heart + -ātus -ate ¹

Example Sentences

The cordate leaves were large and broad, and ended in a single point.

From Literature

Seeds winged on each side, the wings cut into a fringe.—Trees, with ovate or cordate and mainly opposite leaves.

From Project Gutenberg

B. cordifolium, 4 ft., has large cordate leaves, and heads of rich orange flowers in cymose panicles in July.

From Project Gutenberg

Later in the season, the large cordate leaves are quite conspicuous, and cause people to wonder what may have been the flower of so fine a vine.

From Project Gutenberg

Its outline, embracing the group of carpels, may be regular or irregular, long or short, cordate, wide or compressed; it may reach the eye or otherwise, and it frequently clasps that portion.

From Project Gutenberg