Crenulate is spelled with the prefix crenul-, which comes from the Latin word crenula, meaning "small notch". The final -ate suffix indicates that it is an adjective, meaning "having tiny notches or rounded teeth". The IPA phonetic transcription for crenulate is [ˈkɹɛnjəleɪt]. The first syllable, "cren-", is pronounced with the "e" as in "pen". The second syllable, "-u-", is pronounced with a short "u" sound, as in "cup". The final syllable, "-late", is pronounced as in "late".
Crenulate is an adjective that describes something as having small, rounded notches or indentations along its edge or surface. The term is derived from the Latin word "crenula," which refers to a small notch or cleft.
When an object or organism is crenulate, it means that it exhibits numerous tiny, rounded teeth or serrations that resemble closely spaced scallops or waves. This characteristic is often observed in plants, particularly in their leaves, where the margins may appear wavy or have shallow, regular indentations. For example, certain species of oak trees have crenulate leaf edges, which give them a distinctive textured appearance compared to other trees.
However, crenulate can also describe non-biological objects or materials. For instance, a crenulate pattern can be seen in certain types of fabric or textiles, where the surface is adorned with a repeated design of small, rounded notches. In addition, the term can be used to describe the texture of certain stones or minerals that possess a series of rounded, shallow grooves or notches.
Overall, crenulate refers to a characteristic of having small, rounded notches, scallops, or indentations. It is a versatile term that can be applied to a wide range of objects, including biological features, fabrics, and minerals.
In bot., having the edge slightly scolloped or notched.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word crenulate derives from the Latin word crenula, which means small notch or dent. This Latin term is derived from the word crena, meaning cleft or notch. The suffix -ate is added to crenula to form the adjective crenulate, meaning having small notches or finely serrated.