Campanulate is a botanical term used to describe a flower shaped like a bell. The word is pronounced /kæmpənjʊleɪt/ (kam-puh-nyuh-layt), with emphasis on the second syllable. The initial "c" is pronounced as /k/ sound, while the "a" is pronounced as the short "a" sound, /æ/. The second syllable contains the vowel sound /ʌ/ (uh), while the following syllable has the sound /jʊ/ (yuh). The final syllable is pronounced with the long "a" sound, /leɪt/.
The adjective "campanulate" refers to a specific shape that resembles a bell or a bell-shaped flower. It is derived from the Latin word "campanula," which means little bell. The term is primarily used in botany and describes the attributes of certain plants or flowers.
Campanulate refers to a tubular or cylindrical structure that widens gradually towards the apex, forming a bell-like shape. This can be observed in various plant structures like flowers, corollas, and calyxes. The form typically exhibits a flared or spreading limb at the opening, resembling the bell's mouth.
The campanulate shape is often associated with plants that have showy flowers or intricate petal arrangements. Some well-known examples of campanulate flowers include Canterbury bells (Campanula medium), bluebells (Hyacinthoides non-scripta), and certain varieties of lilies.
Botanists and horticulturists use the term "campanulate" to describe and classify flowers based on their physical characteristics. By understanding the campanulate shape, researchers can categorize and identify various plant species, contributing to the overall knowledge of flora.
In summary, campanulate refers to a bell-shaped structure found in plants, particularly flowers. It describes a form that is tubular, narrowing at the base and widening towards the top, with a flared or spreading opening.
In bot., bell-shaped, as the hare-bell.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "campanulate" comes from the Latin word "campanula", which means "little bell". The suffix "-ate" is added to describe something as having the shape or form of a bell. Thus, "campanulate" refers to something that is bell-shaped or resembling a small bell.