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sematic

[si-mat-ik]
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adjective Biology.
  1. serving as a sign or warning of danger, as the conspicuous colors or markings of certain poisonous animals.
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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. 2018

Examples from the Web for sematic

Historical Examples

  • 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

adjective
  1. (of the conspicuous coloration of certain animals) acting as a warning, esp to potential predators
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Word Origin

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

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.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper