incurvate

1 of 2

verb

in·​cur·​vate ˈin-ˌkər-ˌvāt How to pronounce incurvate (audio)
(ˌ)in-ˈkər-
incurvated; incurvating
Synonyms of incurvatenext

transitive verb

: to cause to curve inward : bend
incurvation noun
incurvature
(ˌ)in-ˈkər-və-ˌchu̇r How to pronounce incurvate (audio)
-chər
-ˌtyu̇r
-ˌtu̇r
noun

incurvation

2 of 2

noun

in·​curvation ¦in+ How to pronounce incurvation (audio)
1
: the act, fact, or process of incurving or state of being incurved : curvature, incurvature
2
obsolete : genuflection, bow

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Latin incurvation-, incurvatio, from incurvatus + -ion-, -io -ion

First Known Use

Verb

1578, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of incurvate was in 1578

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Cite this Entry

“Incurvate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/incurvate. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.

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