pectinate

American  

[pek-tuh-neyt] / ˈpɛk təˌneɪt /

Sometimes pectinated

adjective

1. formed into or having closely parallel, toothlike projections that resemble the teeth of a comb.

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pectinate British  

/ ˈpɛktɪˌneɪt /

adjective

1. shaped like a comb

   pectinate antennae

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Other Word Forms

• pectinately adverb
• pectination noun
• subpectinate adjective
• subpectinated adjective
• subpectination noun

Etymology

Origin of pectinate

First recorded in 1785–95; from Latin pectinātus, past participle of pectināre “to comb, rake” equivalent to pectin-, stem of pecten “comb, rake” + -ātus past participle suffix; pecten, -ate ¹

Example Sentences

While the bulk of the internal surface of the right atrium is smooth, the depression of the fossa ovalis is medial, and the anterior surface demonstrates prominent ridges of muscle called the pectinate muscles.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

The left atrium does not have pectinate muscles except in the auricle.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

Feet usually small and weak; toes, three in front, one behind; middle toe-nail pectinate or combed; bill small; mouth very large and usually beset by long bristles.

From Color Key to North American Birds with bibiographical appendix by Chapman, Frank M.

The margin is thin and marked by deep furrows and ridges, so that it is deeply striate, or the terms sulcate or pectinate sulcate are used to express the character of the margin.

From Studies of American Fungi. Mushrooms, Edible, Poisonous, etc. by Atkinson, George Francis

P. palústris, L. Leaves lanceolate, sharply serrate, the lower pectinate when under water; fruit sharply angled.—Wet swamps, N. Eng. to Fla., west to Minn. and Tex.

From The Manual of the Botany of the Northern United States Including the District East of the Mississippi and North of North Carolina and Tennessee by Gray, Asa