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Glite Dictionary
circinate

circinate

9.9
Curled into a spiral, like young fern leaves that unroll
  • adjective
  • /ˈsɜr.kɪ.neɪt/
  • Specialized
translation icon : circinado
  • The young fern fronds are circinate, slowly unrolling as they mature.

Examples

  • The circinate arrangement of the leaves helps protect the delicate bud.

  • Some tendrils show a circinate pattern as they curl around supports.

  • The leaves are circinate.

  • Look at this circinate leaf!

  • Some tendrils show a circinate pattern as they curl around supports.

  • The circinate arrangement of the leaves helps protect the delicate bud.

  • The young fern fronds are circinate, slowly unrolling as they mature.

Synonyms

annular
vscircinate
  • Specialized
5 7.9

Shaped like a ring with a hole in the middle

is often coiled into a spiral rather than merely forming a closed band
ring-shaped
vscircinate
1 3.4

Shaped like a circle

is typically coiled in a spiral rather than only forming a flat circle
doughnut-shaped
vscircinate
1 2.8

Shaped like a ring with a hole in the middle

is about being coiled in a spiral rather than having a central hole
coiled
vscircinate
1 4.3

Shaped like tight rings or spirals

is used mainly for plant organs rather than for general objects
whorled
vscircinate
  • Specialized
8.6

Arranged in a circle or spiral around a plant stem

is coiled into a loop or spiral rather than arranged around a point
annulated
vscircinate
  • Specialized
9.5

Having rings or bands around it

is coiled in a spiral rather than described as separate ring segments
annulate
vscircinate
  • Specialized
9.9

Something that has ring-shaped parts along its length

is usually a single coiled spiral rather than repeated separate rings
ringed
vscircinate
2.5

Round with a hole in the middle

is often coiled in a spiral rather than merely a single hollow band

Antonyms

straight
442 1.0

In a direct line without curves or bends

linear
  • Specialized
5 6.1

Long and narrow with nearly parallel sides like grass leaves

Surface Forms

circinate positive

Etymology

Circinate comes from a Latin root circ- that means 'circle' or 'round', the same idea as the familiar word circle. So something circinate is 'coiled into a ring' or 'curled', which explains why young fern fronds and tendrils are tightly rolled before they open.