sematic

[ si-mat-ik ]

/ sɪˈmæt ɪk /

adjective Biology.

serving as a sign or warning of danger, as the conspicuous colors or markings of certain poisonous animals.

Nearby words

semanticist, semantics, semaphore, semarang, semasiology, sematic, sematology, semblable, semblance, seme, semei-

Origin of sematic

1885–90; < Greek sēmat- (stem of sêma) sign + -ic

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for sematic

It will be found that in many cases the argument here made use of applies equally to the origin of cryptic and sematic colours.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 6|Various

British Dictionary definitions for sematic

sematic

/ (sɪˈmætɪk) /

adjective

(of the conspicuous coloration of certain animals) acting as a warning, esp to potential predators

Word Origin for sematic

C19: from Greek sēma a sign

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

Word Origin and History for sematic

sematic

adj.

"significant, indicative," 1890, from Greek semat-, comb. form of sema (genitive sematos) "sign" (see semantic) + -ic. Used especially in biology, in reference to "warning" colors, etc.