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emargination

emargination

9.9
A small notch at the edge or tip of something, for example a leaf
  • noun
  • /ɪˌmɑrdʒɪˈneɪʃən/
  • Specialized
translation icon : emarginación
  • The Chiffchaff, he explains, has an emargination—a tiny notch—on the outer web of the sixth primary, whereas the Willow Warbler has an emargination on the fifth primary.

Examples

  • The Chiffchaff, he explains, has an emargination—a tiny notch—on the outer web of the sixth primary, whereas the Willow Warbler has an emargination on the fifth primary.

    Academic text (2001)
  • It happened in the same Jerusalem Bird Observatory where I am getting my lesson on Chiffchaff emargination.

    Academic text (2001)
  • The birdwatcher pointed out the emargination on the Chiffchaff's wing, which helps distinguish it from similar species.

  • In biology, an emargination refers to a notch that can be seen on the edge of certain leaves.

  • The butterfly's wings displayed an emargination, making its identification easier for entomologists.

Synonyms

indentation
vsemargination
13 3.7

A small dent in a surface that cutting or hitting causes

is a notch at an edge or tip used mainly in biological descriptions
indenture
vsemargination
  • Archaic
9.2

A curved cut or hollow in a coastline, like a small bay

is a small edge or tip notch described especially in biological contexts

How Notched

emargination
  • Specialized
9.9
notch
85 3.9

Surface Forms

emargination singular
emarginations plural

Morphology

emargination = emarginate (semi-transparent) = margin + ation

Formally built from the verb 'emarginate' + suffix '-ation' and ultimately related to 'margin', but the initial 'em-' form and the specialized biological sense make it less obvious to average learners.

Etymology

Emargination comes from Latin parts e- meaning 'out' and margin meaning 'edge', and it shares the same root as the common English word margin. So an emargination is a small notch or indentation cut into the edge of a leaf, wing, or shell.