serrate leaf
- noun
- /ˈsɛrət liːf/
:
hoja serrada
- When identifying plants, look for a serrate leaf with teeth pointing toward the tip.
Examples
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The serrate leaf of the elm tree helps distinguish it from other species.
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Many species of trees have serrate leaves.
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Many roses have a characteristic serrate leaf that feels rough along the edges.
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The serrate leaf of the plant is quite distinctive.
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Many roses have a characteristic serrate leaf that feels rough along the edges.
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The serrate leaf of the elm tree helps distinguish it from other species.
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When identifying plants, look for a serrate leaf with teeth pointing toward the tip.
Antonyms
How Serrated
- Specialized
- Specialized
- Specialized
Surface Forms
Morphology
The adjective 'serrate' (having a toothed margin) directly modifies 'leaf', so the phrase literally denotes a leaf with saw‑toothed edges. This adjectival composition is fully compositional and follows a common adjective+noun pattern, so a B1 learner who knows both words should be able to infer the meaning.
Etymology
The name serrate leaf comes from the idea of a saw: serrate refers to having small 'teeth' along the edge that point toward the leaf tip, like a saw blade. That's why a serrate leaf means a leaf with a saw-like edge whose teeth point to the tip.
