osculant

[ os-kyuh-luhnt ]

See synonyms for osculant on Thesaurus.com

adjective

united by certain common characteristics.
adhering closely; embracing.

Origin of osculant

1810–20; <Latin ōsculant- (stem of ōsculāns), present participle of ōsculārī to kiss; see osculate, -ant

Words Nearby osculant

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use osculant in a sentence

That proximate circles or larger groups are connected by the intervention of lesser groups, which he denominates osculant.
An Introduction to Entomology: Vol. III (of 4) | William Kirby
In this scheme the osculant classes are those placed between the circles.
An Introduction to Entomology: Vol. III (of 4) | William Kirby
If each circle is regarded as absolute, the series is broken, though the osculant groups connect the circular ones.
An Introduction to Entomology: Vol. IV (of 4) | William Kirby
osculant: intermediate in character between two groups or series.
Explanation of Terms Used in Entomology | John. B. Smith
This is another osculant Order, evidently connecting the Coleoptera with the Orthoptera.
An Introduction to Entomology: Vol. IV (of 4) | William Kirby

British Dictionary definitions for osculant

osculant

/ (ˈɒskjʊlənt) /

adjective

biology (of an organism or group of organisms) possessing some of the characteristics of two different taxonomic groups
zoology closely joined or adhering

Origin of osculant

C19: from Latin ōsculārī to kiss; see osculum

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Browse