divaricate

[ verb dahy-var-i-keyt, dih-; adjective dahy-var-uh-kit, -keyt, dih- ]

verb (used without object)

, di·var·i·cat·ed, di·var·i·cat·ing.

1. to spread apart; branch; diverge.
2. Botany, Zoology. to branch at a wide angle.

adjective

1. spread apart; widely divergent.
2. Botany, Zoology. branching at a wide angle.

divaricate

verb

1. intr (esp of branches) to diverge at a wide angle

adjective

1. branching widely; forked

Derived Forms

• diˌvariˈcation, noun
• diˈvaricately, adverb
• diˈvariˌcatingly, adverb

Other Words From

• di·vari·cate·ly adverb
• di·vari·cating·ly adverb
• di·vari·cation noun
• di·vari·cator noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of divaricate¹

1615–25; < Latin dīvāricātus (past participle of dīvāricāre ), equivalent to dī di- ² + vāric- (base of vāricāre to straddle; prevaricate ) + -ātus -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of divaricate¹

C17: from Latin dīvāricāre to stretch apart, from di- ² + vāricāre to stand astride

Example Sentences

The book fell upon her knees, and dreamily she watched the perspective open and divaricate.

From Project Gutenberg

Parasitic upon Polyzoa, etc. circinate branched--branches irregular divaricate.

From Project Gutenberg

Branches irregular, divaricate nearly at rightangles, subalternate.

From Project Gutenberg

Stems or branches pinnate: pinnae or branches alternate, straight, divaricate.

From Project Gutenberg

When towards the apex the cubit is armed laterally with several divaricate spiniform teeth.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• alter
• differ
• diverge
• diversify
• divide
• fluctuate
• modify
• range