Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

ancipital

adjective
an·​cip·​i·​tal | \ (ˈ)an¦sipətᵊl\
variants: or ancipitous \ -​təs \

Definition of ancipital

: double-edged —used of flattened stems (as of certain grasses)

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

First Known Use of ancipital

1775, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for ancipital

Latin ancipit-, anceps two-headed, two-edged (from—assumed—ambicipit-, ambiceps, from ambi- + -ceps, from caput head) + English -al or -ous

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about ancipital

Statistics for ancipital

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for ancipital

The first known use of ancipital was in 1775

See more words from the same year

Comments on ancipital

What made you want to look up ancipital? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

imbroglio

a complex dispute or argument

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Homophone Quiz

  • three-bears-two-of-them-look-like-theyre-whispering-to-a-third-bear-who-looks-chuffed-to-be-the-center-of-attention
  • In order to judge how people felt, the senator's office hired a firm to take a ______.
How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

TAKE THE QUIZ
SCRABBLE® Sprint

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games