quaternate

American  

[kwot-er-neyt, kwuh-tur-nit] / ˈkwɒt ərˌneɪt, kwəˈtɜr nɪt /

adjective

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

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Etymology

Origin of quaternate

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

Example Sentences

Isolated quaternate leaves are of but little interest, while the occurrence of many on the same individual indicates a distinct variety.

From Species and Varieties, Their Origin by Mutation by Vries, Hugo de

I have often seen isolated plants with quaternate leaves, but only rarely have I observed individuals with more than one such leaf.

From Species and Varieties, Their Origin by Mutation by Vries, Hugo de

A species of cinquefoil, Potentilla Tormentilla, which is distinguished by its quaternate flowers, occurs in Holland in two distinct types, which have proved constant in my cultural experiments.

From Species and Varieties, Their Origin by Mutation by Vries, Hugo de

I had the good fortune to find two plants of clover, bearing one quinate and several quaternate leaves, on an excursion in the neighborhood of Loosdrecht in Holland.

From Species and Varieties, Their Origin by Mutation by Vries, Hugo de

This number in one summer amounted to 46 quaternate and 16 quinate leaves, and it was evident that I had secured an instance of the rare "five-leaved" race which I am about to describe.

From Species and Varieties, Their Origin by Mutation by Vries, Hugo de