decussate
Americanadjective
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in the form of an X ; crossed; intersected.
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Botany. arranged along the stem in pairs, each pair at right angles to the pair next above or below, as leaves.
verb (used without object)
verb
adjective
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in the form of the letter X; crossed; intersected
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botany (esp of leaves) arranged in opposite pairs, with each pair at right angles to the one above and below it
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of decussate
First recorded in 1650–60; from Latin decussātus “divided in the form of an X” (past participle of decussāre ), equivalent to Latin decuss(is) “the numeral ten,” originally, “a ten-as weight,” supposedly from unrecorded dec(-em) assis ); see origin at ten, as 2, -ate 1
Explanation
Decussate things cross over each other, forming an X shape. In botany, decussate leaves are arranged along a stem in a way that causes pairs of them to overlap each other. You can use decussate as an adjective or a verb — either way, it's a technical term most commonly used by scientists. In anatomy, nerve fibers that cross from one side of the brain to the other are said to decussate, and when rods of tooth enamel decussate, they cross each other in an X shape. Biologists also describe animal and plant markings this way: "I saw the decussate lines on its back and immediately identified the insect!"
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.
Upon reaching the appropriate level, the axons decussate, entering the ventral horn on the opposite side of the spinal cord from which they entered.
From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013
These axons do not decussate in the medulla.
From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013
The major differences between the two are in the type of information that is relayed to the brain and where the tracts decussate.
From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013
Axons from the second neuron decussate and ascend to the thalamus along the trigeminothalamic tract.
From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013
These Rainbows did not Just decussate one another at right Angles; there was some 6 or 7 degrees difference.
From Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society - Vol 1 - 1666 Giving some Accompt of the present Undertakings, Studies, and Labours of the Ingenious in many considerable parts of the World by Oldenburg, Henry
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.
