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Glite Dictionary
cuneate

cuneate

9.9
A narrow triangle shape that is wider at the tip and becomes thin at the base
  • adjective
  • /ˈkjuːniˌeɪt/
  • Specialized
translation icon : cuneiforme
  • The botanist noted the cuneate base of the leaf in her report.

Examples

  • The petal margins taper into a cuneate base connecting to the stem.

  • Oak leaves are often lobed, but some have a distinctly cuneate shape.

  • Look at that cuneate leaf shape!

  • The cuneate leaves are beautiful.

  • The oak tree has cuneate leaves that taper elegantly toward the stem.

  • In her research, she described the unique cuneate shape of the plant's leaves.

  • The cuneate leaves of the species allow them to capture sunlight efficiently.

Synonyms

wedge-shaped
vscuneate
1 3.9

Wide at one end and narrowing to a point at the other

describes a narrow triangular leaf wider at the tip and tapering toward the base
cuneal
vscuneate
  • Specialized
9.9

Shaped like a wedge

is the narrow triangular leaf shape rather than a general anatomical form

Compounds

cuneate leaf
  • Specialized
8.6

A leaf with a narrow base that looks like a wedge

How Wedge-shaped

cuneate
  • Specialized
9.9
tapering
4.7
triangular
23 2.7

Surface Forms

cuneate positive

Morphology

cuneate = cune + ate

Formed from a Latin combining form 'cune-' (wedge) plus the learned suffix '-ate'; the root is not a productive or recognizable English word, so learners cannot derive the meaning transparently.

Etymology

Cuneate comes from the Latin root cuneus, which means 'wedge'. Think of a small wedge or doorstop: a cuneate leaf is 'wedge-shaped', wider near the tip and tapering toward the base.