orbiculate

adjective

or·​bic·​u·​late ȯr-ˈbi-kyə-lət How to pronounce orbiculate (audio)
: circular or nearly circular in outline
an orbiculate leaf
see leaf illustration

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin orbiculātus, from orbiculus "circular figure, small disk" (from orbis "disk, circle" + -culus, diminutive suffix) + -ātus -ate entry 3 — more at orb entry 1

First Known Use

circa 1650, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of orbiculate was circa 1650

Dictionary Entries Near orbiculate

Cite this Entry

“Orbiculate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/orbiculate. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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