pectinate

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   biology: shaped or arranged like the teeth of a comb

   The male moth's pectinate antennae carried long branches along each side.

2. 2
   verb

   rare: to interlock or arrange in a comb-like alternating pattern

   The two rows of spines pectinate along the edge of the appendage.

3. 3
   noun

   chemistry: a salt or ester of pectinic acid

   The analyst identified the compound as a calcium pectinate.

Borrowed from Latin pectinatus, 'combed,' from pectinare, 'to comb,' and pecten, 'comb.' Biological use describes comb-shaped structures; the rarer verb and chemical noun developed independently from related scientific formations.

Topics

External links

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