The word "papillate" is pronounced /ˈpæpɪleɪt/ and is spelled with two "p"s and two "l"s. The IPA phonetic transcription shows that the first syllable is pronounced with a short "a" sound followed by the "p" sound. The second syllable is pronounced with a long "i" sound followed by the "l" sound. The final syllable is pronounced with a short "a" sound followed by the "t" sound. The word means to have or be covered in papillae, which are small bumps on the surface of a tissue or organ.
Papillate is an adjective that describes something as having papillae or being covered in papillae. The term papillae refers to small, rounded, nipple-like protrusions or structures that can be found on the surfaces of certain organisms and objects.
In the context of biology and anatomy, papillate refers to structures or surfaces that are covered in papillae. These can be observed in various organisms such as the tongue of mammals, where papillae play a critical role in taste perception, as they house taste buds. In this case, a papillate tongue refers to a tongue that is covered in numerous small bumps, giving it a rough texture.
In a broader sense, papillate can also describe other examples of papillae-like structures found in nature. For instance, the term can be applied to certain types of plant leaves that possess small protuberances or bumps on their surfaces. These papillate leaves may serve multiple purposes, such as enhancing water retention, providing a defense against predators, or aiding in light absorption for photosynthesis.
Overall, the term papillate is used to describe surfaces or structures that exhibit the presence of papillae, conveying a sense of texture or the characteristic appearance of small, raised or rounded bumps.
To grow into a nipple.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "papillate" is derived from the Latin word "papilla", which means "nipple". The suffix "-ate" in English is often added to words to form adjectives, meaning "resembling" or "having the qualities of". Thus, "papillate" describes something that is nipple-like or marked with small, rounded protuberances, similar to the appearance of nipples or papillae.