quaternate

[kwot-er-neyt, kwuh-tur-nit]

adjective

1. arranged in or consisting of four parts, as the leaves of certain plants.

Word History and Origins

Origin of quaternate¹

1745–55; < Latin quatern ( ī ) four at a time + -ate ¹

Example Sentences

They perform the same functions and bear spicules, sometimes in pairs, sometimes quaternate, each spicule being surmounted by a spore.

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With this introduction we may state that the technical characters of the family are thus expressed:— Hymenium free, mostly naked, or, if enclosed at first, soon exposed; spores naked, mostly quaternate, on distinct spicules = Hymenomycetes.

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With buttercups and brambles and many others there is only an increase above the typical five; quaternate flowers are wanting or at least are very rare.

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The common laburnum has a variety which often produces quaternate and quinate leaves, and in strawberries I have also seen instances of this abnormality.

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For brevity's sake all these cleft and ternate, double cleft and quaternate cotyledons and even the higher grades are combined under one common name and indicated as tricotyls.

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