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Glite Dictionary
orbiculate

orbiculate

9.9
Round or nearly round in shape
  • adjective
  • /ɔrˈbɪkjʊlɪt/
translation icon : orbicular
  • The plant has orbiculate leaves that are almost perfectly round.

Examples

  • The orbiculate pattern on the butterfly's wings helps it blend into its surroundings.

  • This flower has orbiculate petals that are quite unique.

  • Many marine organisms exhibit orbiculate shells for streamlined movement in water.

  • The orbiculate design of the table caught everyone's attention.

  • The plant has orbiculate leaves that are almost perfectly round.

  • The orbiculate pattern on the butterfly's wings helps it blend into its surroundings.

  • Many marine organisms exhibit orbiculate shells for streamlined movement in water.

Synonyms

round
vsorbiculate
273 1.0

Having the shape of a circle or sphere

highlights near disk outlines rather than general smoothness
circular
vsorbiculate
84 2.8

Having the shape of a circle

allows shapes that are nearly disk shaped rather than perfect
roundish
vsorbiculate
1 2.8

A shape that is almost like a circle

refers to mostly true disk like shapes more strongly
orbed
vsorbiculate
1 8.7

Round and shaped like a ball

covers flatter shapes or slightly curved surfaces rather than globes
orbicular
vsorbiculate
9.2

A shape that is round like a disk

is used for mostly curved forms with minor irregularities

Antonyms

flat
797 1.0

Level and even without parts higher or lower

angular
15 3.8

Having sharp corners and straight lines rather than smooth curves

Compounds

orbiculate leaf
  • Specialized
9.0

A leaf that is round or almost round

How Round

circular
84 2.8
orbiculate
9.9
rounded
1 2.4
elliptical
12 4.5
ovate
  • Specialized
7.2

Surface Forms

orbiculate positive

Morphology

orbiculate = orb (semi-transparent) = orb + iculate

The word is a learned formation based on orb, so the core shape meaning is recoverable, but the suffixal pattern is not a highly productive everyday English one.

Etymology

The word orbiculate comes from the Latin word orbis, which means 'circle' or 'sphere', and is like the common words orb and orbit. So orbiculate describes something that is 'round' or almost round.