divaricate
[ verb dahy-var-i-keyt, di-; adjective dahy-var-uh-kit, -keyt, di- ]
/ verb daɪˈvær ɪˌkeɪt, dɪ-; adjective daɪˈvær ə kɪt, -ˌkeɪt, dɪ- /
verb (used without object), di·var·i·cat·ed, di·var·i·cat·ing.
to spread apart; branch; diverge.
Botany, Zoology. to branch at a wide angle.
adjective
spread apart; widely divergent.
Botany, Zoology. branching at a wide angle.
Nearby words
divagate, divalent, divali, divalproex sodium, divan, divaricate, divarication, divaricator, dive, dive bomber, dive brake
Origin of divaricate
1615–25; < Latin dīvāricātus (past participle of dīvāricāre), equivalent to dī di-2 + vāric- (base of vāricāre to straddle; see prevaricate) + -ātus -ate1
Related forms
di·var·i·cate·ly, adverbdi·var·i·cat·ing·ly, adverbdi·var·i·ca·tion, noundi·var·i·ca·tor, nounDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for divaricate
Branches irregular, divaricate nearly at rightangles, subalternate.
Stems or branches pinnate: pinnae or branches alternate, straight, divaricate.
The book fell upon her knees, and dreamily she watched the perspective open and divaricate.
Parrot & Co.|Harold MacGrath
British Dictionary definitions for divaricate
divaricate
verb (daɪˈværɪˌkeɪt)
(intr) (esp of branches) to diverge at a wide angle
adjective (daɪˈværɪkɪt, -ˌkeɪt)
branching widely; forked
Derived Forms
divaricately, adverbdivaricatingly, adverbdivarication, nounWord Origin for divaricate
C17: from Latin dīvāricāre to stretch apart, from di- ² + vāricāre to stand astride
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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