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incurvate

incurvate

9.9
Curved inward so a surface or edge bends toward the center
  • adjective
  • /ɪnˈkɜrvət/
translation icon : incurvado
  • The leaves of the plant are incurvate at the edges.

Examples

  • The shell features an incurvate lip, distinguishing it from other species.

  • Look at the incurvate shape of that shell!

  • Her design included an incurvate surface to create a sense of depth.

  • The leaves of the plant were incurvate along their edges.

  • The leaves of the plant were incurvate along their edges, giving them a unique appearance.

  • Her design included an incurvate surface that added visual interest to the artwork.

  • The shell features an incurvate lip, which helps identify it among various marine species.

Synonyms

concave
vsincurvate
5 5.2

Curved inward like the inside of a bowl or spoon

is inwardly curved but not limited to a rounded bowl or sphere shape
incurved
vsincurvate
7.6

Curving inward at the edges like a bowl rim

has identical meaning but uses a different word form
recurvate
vsincurvate
  • Specialized
9.9

Bends backward or inward at the tip

refers to a simple inward curve rather than a backward bend

Antonyms

442 1.0

In a direct line without curves or bends

How Curved

concave
5 5.2
incurvate
9.9
curved
6 1.0
bent
21 1.0
flat
797 1.0

Surface Forms

incurvate positive

Morphology

incurvate = curvate (semi-transparent) = in + curvate

The sense 'curved inward' follows from adding 'in-' meaning 'inward' to 'curvate', but the rare technical base makes the relation less than fully obvious.

Etymology

Incurvate as an adjective comes from in- 'in' and curve 'bend'. So something described as incurvate is 'curved inward', meaning its shape turns toward the inside.