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Glite Dictionary
dentate

dentate

9.4
Having a row of small toothlike points along the edge
  • adjective
  • /ˈdɛnˌteɪt/
  • Specialized
translation icon : dentado
  • Many species of fish have dentate scales that help them move through water.

So then we got the pectinet or dentate line.

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Examples

  • The dentate patterns on the surface of the seashell made it stand out.

  • The shark turned and darted away, its dentate skin scraping his thigh as he pulled himself all the way through.

    Fiction book (1997)

  • The one that looks like it's corrugated is the dentate nucleus.

  • New cells in the dentate gyrus come in and start forming their own connections.

    SciShow

  • I don't remember the dose increased neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus region of the brain and also caused fear extinction.

  • The leaf of the plant had a dentate edge, giving it a unique appearance.

Synonyms

serrate
vsdentate
1 7.5

An edge with small teeth like a saw

is the general description for toothlike projections without directional detail
dentata
vsdentate
  • Specialized
9.9

A word used in scientific names for plants and animals to show a toothed edge

is the general biological term for having toothlike projections along an edge
serrated
vsdentate
5.4

An edge with small teeth that point toward the tip

is the broad scientific term for having toothlike projections along an edge
denticulate
vsdentate
  • Specialized
9.9

Having a finely toothed edge with many small close teeth like some leaves

is the wider term for toothlike projections not limited to fine teeth
toothed
vsdentate
3.9

Having a jagged edge with small points like teeth

is the technical biological word emphasizing toothlike projections on structures
teethy
vsdentate
8.3

A jagged edge like a saw

is the formal biological term used in scientific descriptions rather than casual speech

Compounds

dentate leaf
  • Specialized
7.9

A leaf with teeth along the edge like a saw

dentate nucleus
  • Specialized
9.9

A large folded group of brain cells in the back part of the brain that helps control movement and balance

How Toothed

serrate
1 7.5
dentate
  • Specialized
9.4
denticulate
  • Specialized
9.9
crenate
  • Specialized
9.8
entire
  • Specialized
1 8.3

Surface Forms

dentate positive

Morphology

dentate = dent (semi-transparent) = dent + ate

The adjective-forming suffix '-ate' signals 'having' and learners familiar with dental-related words can infer 'tooth-like', but the root form 'dent' is not a common standalone word meaning 'tooth'.

Etymology

Dentate comes from the Latin root dent- meaning 'tooth', the same root you can see in dentist and dental. Imagine a leaf or edge with little teeth along it, and you can see why dentate means having 'toothlike' or jagged edges.