brachiate
- adjective
- /ˈbreɪkiˌeɪt/
- Specialized
- The maple tree is known for its brachiate branching pattern.
Examples
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The oak tree has a brachiate structure with its limbs spreading wide to capture sunlight.
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Some corals develop brachiate structures to maximize light exposure.
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The fossil showed a brachiate form, with limbs branching out in pairs.
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That tree is brachiate.
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Look at how brachiate the branches are!
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Some species of corals exhibit a brachiate form, allowing them to thrive in shallow waters.
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In botanical studies, plants often display brachiate characteristics as their branches extend away from the trunk.
Synonyms
A tree or plant that has many branches
Having parts that spread out from a main part like a tree
A plant or structure with many branches like a tree
Having parts that split and spread out like a tree
Surface Forms
Morphology
brachiate = brachi- (opaque) = brachi + ate
The element 'brachi-' is a technical combining form (not a familiar English base), so learners without specialist knowledge are unlikely to deduce the meaning from the parts.
Etymology
Brachiate comes from the root brachi- meaning 'arm', the same idea you see in the English word brachial, so it describes plants or animals with arm-like branches or parts that spread out from a main stem.