patulous

[ pach-uh-luhs ]
See synonyms for patulous on Thesaurus.com
adjective
  1. open; gaping; expanded.

  2. Botany.

    • spreading, as a tree or its boughs.

    • spreading slightly, as a calyx.

    • bearing the flowers loose or dispersed, as a peduncle.

Origin of patulous

1
First recorded in 1610–20, patulous is from the Latin word patulus standing wide-open. See patent, -ulous

Other words from patulous

  • pat·u·lous·ly, adverb
  • pat·u·lous·ness, noun

Words Nearby patulous

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How to use patulous in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for patulous

patulous

/ (ˈpætjʊləs) /


adjective
  1. botany spreading widely or expanded: patulous branches

  2. rare gaping

Origin of patulous

1
C17: from Latin patulus open, from patēre to lie open

Derived forms of patulous

  • patulously, adverb
  • patulousness, noun

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