serrate
[adjective ser-eyt, -it; verb ser-eyt, suh-reyt]
- Chiefly Biology. notched on the edge like a saw: a serrate leaf.
- Numismatics. (of a coin) having a grooved edge.
- serrated.
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- to make serrate or serrated: He serrated the knives so they would cut meat easily.
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Origin of serrate
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for serrate
Historical Examples
The cone-scales are very small, but the bracts are large, thick, and serrate.
Trees of the Northern United StatesAustin C. Apgar
The serrate pines on my horizon are not the pickets of a great pen.
The Face of the FieldsDallas Lore Sharp
If not entire it may be toothed, serrate (sawlike), crenate or wavy.
Field and Woodland PlantsWilliam S. Furneaux
The leaves are opposite, elliptical, serrate, with short stalks.
Field and Woodland PlantsWilliam S. Furneaux
Its leaves are large, flat, oval or oblong, with serrate edges.
Field and Woodland PlantsWilliam S. Furneaux
serrate
- (of leaves) having a margin of forward pointing teeth
- having a notched or sawlike edge
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- (tr) to make serrate
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Word Origin
C17: from Latin serrātus saw-shaped, from serra a saw
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 serrate
adj.
"notched," 1660s, from Latin serratus "sawlike, notched like a saw," from serra "a saw," of unknown origin. Related: Serrated; serrating.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
serrate
(sĕr′āt′)- Having or forming a row of small, sharp, projections resembling the teeth of a saw.
- Having a saw-toothed edge or margin notched with toothlike projections.
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The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.