English

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Pronunciation

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  • IPA(key): /ˈpɛktəneɪt/
  • Audio (US):(file)

Etymology 1

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Pectinate antenna of a lappet moth.

Borrowed from Latin pectinātus (combed), from pectinō (I comb), from pecten (comb). First attested in the mid-18th century.[1]

Adjective

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pectinate (not comparable)

  1. Resembling a comb.
    Synonym: pectinated
    1. (anatomy, zoology, botany) Having narrow ridges or projections aligned close together like the teeth of a comb.
      The moth's antennae were pectinate in shape, set with long teeth along one edge only.
    2. (mycology) Striate.
Derived terms
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Translations
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Verb

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pectinate (third-person singular simple present pectinates, present participle pectinating, simple past and past participle pectinated)

  1. (transitive, intransitive) To fit together in an alternating manner; to interlock or interdigitate.
    • 1646, Thomas Browne, “Compendiouſly of many queſtionable cuſtomes, opinions, pictures, practiſes, and popular obſervations”, in Pseudodoxia Epidemica: [], London: [] T[homas] H[arper] for Edward Dod, [], →OCLC, 5th book, paragraph 9, page 266:
      To ſet croſſe legg’d, or with our fingers pectinated or ſhut together is accounted bad, and friends will perſwade us from it.

Etymology 2

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(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

Noun

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pectinate (plural pectinates)

  1. (chemistry) An ester or salt formed of pectinic acid.
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References

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Anagrams

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Latin

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Verb

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pectināte

  1. second-person plural present active imperative of pectinō