circinate

9.9

Curled into a spiral, like young fern leaves that unroll

adjective
/ˈsɜr.kɪ.neɪt/

Specialized

: circinado

The young fern fronds are circinate, slowly unrolling as they mature.

Examples

The circinate arrangement of the leaves helps protect the delicate bud.
Some tendrils show a circinate pattern as they curl around supports.
The leaves are circinate.
Look at this circinate leaf!
Some tendrils show a circinate pattern as they curl around supports.
The circinate arrangement of the leaves helps protect the delicate bud.
The young fern fronds are circinate, slowly unrolling as they mature.

Synonyms

coiled

vscircinate

16 4.3

Shaped like tight rings or spirals

is used mainly for plant organs rather than for general objects

ringed

vscircinate

8 2.5

Round with a hole in the middle

is often coiled in a spiral rather than merely a single hollow band

annular

vscircinate

Specialized

6 7.9

Shaped like a ring with a hole in the middle

is often coiled into a spiral rather than merely forming a closed band

doughnut-shaped

vscircinate

1 2.8

Shaped like a ring with a hole in the middle

is about being coiled in a spiral rather than having a central hole

ring-shaped

vscircinate

1 3.4

Shaped like a circle

is typically coiled in a spiral rather than only forming a flat circle

whorled

vscircinate

Specialized

1 8.6

Arranged in a circle or spiral around a plant stem

is coiled into a loop or spiral rather than arranged around a point

annulated

vscircinate

Specialized

1 9.5

Having rings or bands around it

is coiled in a spiral rather than described as separate ring segments

annulate

vscircinate

Specialized

9.9

Something that has ring-shaped parts along its length

is usually a single coiled spiral rather than repeated separate rings

Antonyms

straight

386 1.0

In a direct line without curves or bends

linear

Specialized

1 6.1

Long and narrow with nearly parallel sides like grass leaves

Surface Forms

circinate positive

Etymology

Circinate comes from a Latin root circ- that means 'circle' or 'round', the same idea as the familiar word circle. So something circinate is 'coiled into a ring' or 'curled', which explains why young fern fronds and tendrils are tightly rolled before they open.