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Glite Dictionary
papillate

papillate

9.9
A surface covered with many small rounded bumps
  • adjective
  • /ˈpæpɪleɪt/
  • Specialized
translation icon : papilado
  • The surface of the tongue appears papillate under a microscope.

Examples

  • The papillate texture of the plant's leaves is fascinating.

  • The biologist noted the papillate appearance of the cell membrane.

  • Some leaves have a papillate texture due to tiny projections.

  • Some species of fungi have papillate caps.

  • The surface of the tongue appears papillate under a microscope.

  • The biologist noted the papillate appearance of the cell membrane.

  • Some species of fungi have papillate caps.

Synonyms

papillary
vspapillate
  • Specialized
1 8.7

Relating to a small, nipple-shaped bump on the skin or a body surface

emphasizes a whole surface covered with many such projections rather than a single one
papillose
vspapillate
  • Specialized
9.9

Covered with many small rounded bumps

is a general label for surfaces that resemble those projections rather than always covered
papular
vspapillate
  • Specialized
8.8

A surface with many small nipple-like bumps often on plants or animals

focuses more on the surface being actually covered by such projections
mammillary
vspapillate
  • Specialized
9.8

Having many small rounded bumps like nipples

is more specifically about surfaces covered with many papillae rather than general bumps
papilliform
vspapillate
  • Specialized
9.9

Shaped like a small rounded bump, for example a nipple

describes a surface covered with many tiny projections rather than just the shape
papillomatous
vspapillate
  • Specialized
9.9

Having many small bumps that look like nipples

is neutral about cause and simply describes surfaces that resemble those projections

How Covered

papillate
  • Specialized
9.9
rough
164 1.0
smooth
1 5.8

Surface Forms

papillate positive

Morphology

papillate = papilla (transparent) = papilla + ate

Formed from 'papilla' + the productive adjectival/participial suffix '-ate', so the meaning 'having papillae' is directly derived from the base.

Etymology

Papillate comes from the Latin word papilla, which means 'nipple'. It describes a surface covered with many small, nipple-like bumps, so papillate means 'covered with tiny bumps'.