falcate

American  

[fal-keyt] / ˈfæl keɪt /

Also falcated

adjective

1. curved like a scythe or sickle; hooked; falciform.

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falcate British  

/ ˈfælsɪˌfɔːm, ˈfælkeɪt /

adjective

1. biology shaped like a sickle

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Other Word Forms

• subfalcate adjective

Etymology

Origin of falcate

1820–30; < Latin falcātus sickle-shaped, equivalent to falc- (stem of falx ) sickle + -ātus -ate ¹

Example Sentences

It is low in profile, has a long base, is set far forward on the animal's back, and is falcate to "flaglike" in appearance.

From Whales, Dolphins, and Porpoises of the Western North Atlantic A Guide to Their Identification by Caldwell, David

Dorsal fin moderately falcate to triangular and very erect.

From Whales, Dolphins, and Porpoises of the Western North Atlantic A Guide to Their Identification by Caldwell, David

Sharply pointed and falcate: forms angle of greater than 40° with back well more than one-third forward from tail.

From Whales, Dolphins, and Porpoises of the Western North Atlantic A Guide to Their Identification by Caldwell, David

The dorsal fin is very small, falcate, and located in the latter half of the back.

From Whales, Dolphins, and Porpoises of the Western North Atlantic A Guide to Their Identification by Caldwell, David

They may be distinguished from sei whales in the following similar ways: Fin WhaleSei WhaleDORSAL FIN Slightly falcate, forms angle of less than 40° with back slightly more than one-third forward from tail.

From Whales, Dolphins, and Porpoises of the Western North Atlantic A Guide to Their Identification by Caldwell, David