serrate

[ adjective ser-eyt, -it; verb ser-eyt, suh-reyt ]

adjective

1. Chiefly Biology. notched on the edge like a saw:

   a serrate leaf.

2. Numismatics. (of a coin) having a grooved edge.
3. serrated.

verb (used with object)

, ser·rat·ed, ser·rat·ing.

1. to make serrate or serrated:

   He serrated the knives so they would cut meat easily.

serrate

adjective

1. (of leaves) having a margin of forward pointing teeth
2. having a notched or sawlike edge

verb

1. tr to make serrate

Other Words From

• sub·serrate adjective
• un·serrate adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of serrate¹

1590–1600; < Latin serrātus, equivalent to serr ( a ) saw + -ātus -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of serrate¹

C17: from Latin serrātus saw-shaped, from serra a saw

Example Sentences

To assemble the sandwiches, use a small serrated knife to split 4 biscuits in half across the equator.

From Washington Post

She believes this was meant to help the portioning of the bread in a time when serrated knives for this purpose weren’t widely available.

From Popular-Science

Made in partnership with Chef Tom Colicchio, the co-founder of Gramercy Tavern, the Fishing Knife set features two knives, one serrated, one straight-edged, perfect for trimming line while at sea, or filleting your catch shoreside.

From The Daily Beast

Staring down at rows upon rows of serrated crevasses that looked like giant blue teeth, it was hard to imagine the landscape as anything other than a barren wasteland of ice and rock.

From Outside Online

They’re not recommended by most professionals, because they eat away a lot of the blade and can create uneven, almost serrated edges.

From Popular-Science

They are obtuse or somewhat acute, and have the edges crenate, or more or less distinctly serrate with sharp incurved teeth.

From Project Gutenberg

The beaks are well developed and finely serrate in all species.

From Project Gutenberg

This is generally done with an instrument of bone, cut something in the shape of a small adz, with a serrate edge.

From Project Gutenberg

His description is as follows: Leaves cordate, dentate-serrate, glabrous on both sides.

From Project Gutenberg

The cherries are trees of moderate size and shrubs, having smooth, serrate leaves and white flowers.

From Project Gutenberg