pectinate

C2 Topic:Describing Qualities

US /ˈpɛktəneɪt/ UK /ˈpektɪneɪt/ See IPA manual

Meanings

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

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

noun
chemistry: a salt or ester of pectinic acid

The analyst identified the compound as a calcium pectinate.

Verb forms

Verb forms are not available for this word yet.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 adj · biology: shaped or arranged... comb-shapedpectinated

2 verb · rare: to interlock or... interdigitateinterlock

Opposites

smoothunbranched

Word family

Forms pectinated

Derived forms bipectinatepectinatelysubpectinate

Related forms pectenpectinationcomb antenna

Etymology

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

Describing Qualities Word Formation & Derivatives Register & Style

External links

# pectinate

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2
**Part of speech:** adj, verb, noun
**IPA (US):** /ˈpɛktəneɪt/
**IPA (UK):** /ˈpektɪneɪt/

## Meanings
1. biology: shaped or arranged like the teeth of a comb
2. rare: to interlock or arrange in a comb-like alternating pattern
3. chemistry: a salt or ester of pectinic acid

## Examples
- The male moth's pectinate antennae carried long branches along each side.
- The two rows of spines pectinate along the edge of the appendage.
- The analyst identified the compound as a calcium pectinate.

## Synonyms
- comb-shaped
- pectinated
- interdigitate

## Antonyms
- smooth
- unbranched

## Derived Forms
- bipectinate
- pectinately
- subpectinate

## Related Forms
- pecten
- pectination
- comb
- antenna

## Etymology
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
- Describing Qualities
- Word Formation & Derivatives
- Register & Style

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