imbricate
1
9.9
- adjective
- /ˈɪmbrɪˌkeɪt/
- Specialized
:
imbricado
- Under the microscope, the fish's gills appeared imbricate, each layer neatly overlapping the next.
Examples
-
The imbricate leaves of the plant create a beautiful pattern.
-
The rose petals are imbricate, giving the flower its tightly packed structure.
-
The imbricate arrangement of the pine cone's scales helps protect its seeds.
-
Some species of fish have imbricate scales that protect them.
-
The roof was covered with imbricate tiles that provided excellent protection from the rain.
-
In nature, many plants have imbricate leaves that overlap to create a protective layer.
-
The bird's feathers were arranged in an imbricate pattern, helping it stay dry during storms.
Synonyms
Overlapping each other like roof tiles
How Overlapping
Surface Forms
Morphology
imbricate = imbric + ate
Although the suffix '-ate' is recognizable, the root 'imbric' is not a standalone English word and the word is a learned borrowing, so learners cannot reliably derive the meaning from familiar English morphemes.
Etymology
Imbricate comes from the Latin word imbrex, a 'roof tile' that sits partly on top of the tile below it. So when something is imbricate it is arranged in overlapping rows, just like tiles or shingles.