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Glite Dictionary
carination

carination

9.9
A raised ridge on a surface, like the centre line of a boat, often on leaves or shells
  • noun
  • /ˌkɛrɪˈneɪʃən/
  • Specialized
translation icon : carinación
  • In many bird species, the carination of the breastbone supports the attachment of strong muscles for flight.

Examples

  • The carination seen on the shells of certain mollusks helps scientists understand their evolutionary adaptations.

  • The archaeologist noted that the carination on the artifact was a key feature for identifying its historical period.

  • Incised designs were similar to those recorded in Mombasa, with cascading arcs above the carination, or, more rarely, punctates forming shapes along the same line.

    Academic text (2006)

  • At Fort Jesus, Kirkman described a variety of incised patterns made up of "chevrons, curves, and lines" placed just above the carination (shoulder), either as a continuous band or as a series of single motifs with intervals between them.

    Academic text (2006)

  • The walls may be short and nearly vertical, flare outward from the base, or exhibit varying degrees of curvature or carination—features that should help in determining workshop styles or even specific hands.

    Academic text (2007)

Synonyms

keel
vscarination
  • Specialized
1 8.0

A ridge on the chest bone of flying birds that supports strong wing muscles

denotes formation or presence of such ridges rather than the ridges themselves
carina
vscarination
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A ridge shaped like the bottom of a boat on a bird's breastbone or where two flower petals join

describes formation or presence of that ridge rather than the ridge itself

How Ridged

keel
  • Specialized
1 8.0
carination
  • Specialized
9.9
ridging
  • Specialized
6.7
smoothness
5 1.9

Surface Forms

carination singular
carinations plural

Morphology

carination = carinate (transparent) = carina + ate + ion

A regular nominalization of the adjective 'carinate' (itself from 'carina'), so the meaning 'the presence or formation of a keel-like ridge' follows directly from the base.

Etymology

Carination comes from the Latin carina meaning 'keel', the long ridge under a boat. So carination describes a 'keel-like' ridge on a leaf, shell, or bone — imagine a small boat keel running along the surface.