conglobate

verb

con·​glo·​bate kän-ˈglō-ˌbāt How to pronounce conglobate (audio)
kən-
conglobated; conglobating

transitive verb

: to form into a round compact mass
conglobate
kän-ˈglō-bət How to pronounce conglobate (audio)
-ˌbāt
kən-
adjective
conglobation noun

Did you know?

Conglobate descends from the Latin verb conglobare, which in turn comes from the prefix con- (meaning "with" or " together") and "globus" (meaning "globe"). "Conglobare" also means "to form into a ball," and in the 16th century it gave us the word conglobe, of the same meaning. A century after "conglobe" first appeared in print, its cousin "conglobate" arrived on the scene. You may be wondering if the word glob is a relative too. "Glob" isn't linked directly to "conglobate," but it does have a possible link to "globe." Etymologists think that "glob" might have originated as a blend of "globe" and "blob."

Word History

Etymology

Latin conglobatus, past participle of conglobare, from com- + globus globe

First Known Use

1635, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of conglobate was in 1635

Podcast

Dictionary Entries Near conglobate

Cite this Entry

“Conglobate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/conglobate. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.

Medical Definition

conglobate

transitive verb
con·​glo·​bate kän-ˈglō-ˌbāt, kən- How to pronounce conglobate (audio)
conglobated; conglobating
: to form into a round compact mass
conglobate adjective
conglobation noun
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