turbinate
Americanadjective
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Also turbinated. having the shape of an inverted cone; scroll-like; whorled; spiraled.
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Anatomy. of or relating to certain scroll-like, spongy bones of the nasal passages in humans and other vertebrates.
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inversely conical.
noun
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a turbinate shell.
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Also called nasal concha. Anatomy. a turbinate bone.
adjective
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anatomy of or relating to any of the thin scroll-shaped bones situated on the walls of the nasal passages
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shaped like a spiral or scroll
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(esp of the shells of certain molluscs) shaped like an inverted cone
noun
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Also called: nasal concha. a turbinate bone
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a turbinate shell
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of turbinate
1655–65; < Latin turbinātus shaped like a top, equivalent to turbin- (stem of turbō a top; see turbine) + -ātus -ate 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Researchers also identified signs of a structure known as a respiratory turbinate inside the nose of Triceratops.
From Science Daily ● Feb. 22, 2026
The following are a few of the best figs; those marked F, are good forcing sorts, and those marked W. suitable for walls:— Agen: brownish-green, turbinate.
From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 10, Slice 3 "Fenton, Edward" to "Finistere" by Various
Core very large, turbinate, open, clasping; Seeds numerous, pointed, pale; Flesh green, rather tough, fine-grained, juicy; Flavor sweet; Quality good—for baking especially; Season, December.
From American Pomology Apples by J. A. Warder
Core small, turbinate, regular, clasping; Seeds few, angular imperfect; Flesh yellowish white, breaking, coarse-grained, juicy; Flavor acid to sub-acid, rich; Quality good to very good; Use, kitchen, market, drying; Season, September, October.
From American Pomology Apples by J. A. Warder
Stipe long, erect, tapering upward, yellow-brown to reddish-brown, expanding at the base into a small hypothallus; the columella central, white, turbinate, or discoid turbinate.
From The Myxomycetes of the Miami Valley, Ohio by A. P. (Andrew Price) Morgan
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
