pectinate

To fit together in an alternating manner; to interlock or interdigitate.

Adjective

  1. Resembling a comb.
    • The moth's antennae were pectinate in shape, set with long teeth along one edge only.

    Synonyms: pectinated

    1. (anatomy, zoology, botany) Having narrow ridges or projections aligned close together like the teeth of a comb.

    2. (mycology) Striate.

      Synonyms: pectinated

Origin

Borrowed from Latin pectinātus (“combed”), from pectinō (“to comb”), from pecten (“comb”). First attested in the mid-18th century. By surface analysis, Latin pectin- (“comb, scallop”) + -ate.

Related

bipectinated pecten pectinal pectinatella pectination pectinibranchiate pectiniform unipectinated

Derived

bipectinate impectinate monopectinate pectinate line pectinately subpectinate unipectinate

Noun

  1. An ester or salt formed of pectinic acid.

Origin

Etymology tree English pectin English -ate English pectinate From pectin + -ate (“chemical suffix”).

Forms

pectinates

Related

pectate pectin

Verb

  1. To fit together in an alternating manner; to interlock or interdigitate.
    • To ſet croſſe legg’d, or with our fingers pectinated or ſhut together is accounted bad, and friends will perſwade us from it. - 1646, Thomas Browne, “Compendiouſly of many queſtionable cuſtomes, opinions, pictures,...

Forms

pectinates pectinating pectinated