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Glite Dictionary
✏️ To make pointed 🌿 Tapering to point
acuminate

acuminate

9.9
Tapering gradually to a long thin point, like some leaves
  • adjective
  • /əˈkjuːmɪnɪt/
  • Specialized
translation icon : acuminado
  • The acuminate leaves of this plant help distinguish it from similar species.

Examples

  • Many tropical trees are identified by their acuminate leaf-tips, which channel water away.

  • The botanist noted the acuminate shape of the specimen's foliage during her field study.

  • The acuminate leaves of the plant are very distinctive.

  • Look at how acuminate the tips of these leaves are!

  • The acuminate leaves of the oak tree are easily recognizable by their pointed tips.

  • This plant is known for its acuminate foliage, which adds to its unique appearance.

  • The gardener admired the acuminate edges of the leaves in her collection.

Synonyms

acuate
vsacuminate
9.9

A shape that narrows to a sharp point at the end

tapers gradually to a slender pointed tip
cuspidate
vsacuminate
9.9

A leaf or part that ends in a sharp point

tapers gradually to a long slender tip rather than forming a simple point

Antonyms

blunt
109 1.0

An object with a dull edge or tip that does not cut well

Compounds

acuminate leaf
  • Specialized
9.1

A leaf that becomes narrower and ends in a long thin point

How Pointed

needlelike
1 4.9
acuminate
  • Specialized
9.9
acute
4 4.8
obtuse
  • Specialized
1 7.5
rounded
1 2.4

Surface Forms

acuminate positive

Morphology

acuminate = acumin + ate

The combining stem 'acumin-' is a Latin-derived combining form not productive in modern English, so learners will not reliably infer the meaning from its visible parts.

Etymology

The word acuminate comes from the old Latin acuminare, built on the root acu- meaning 'needle' or 'sharp', the same idea you see in acute. So an acuminate leaf slowly narrows to a fine, pointed tip.