Other

imbricate

Syllabification: (im·bri·cate)

Pronunciation: /ˈimbriˌkāt/

chiefly Zoology & Botany

Definition of imbricate

verb

(usually as adjective imbricated)

arrange (scales, sepals, plates, etc.) so that they overlap like roof tiles:these molds have spherical bodies composed of imbricated triangular plates
[no object] (usually as adjective imbricating) overlap:a coating of imbricating scales

adjective

Pronunciation: /ˈimbriˌkət/

(of scales, sepals, plates, etc.) having adjacent edges overlapping. Compare with valvate.

Derivatives

imbrication

Origin:

early 17th century (in the sense 'shaped like a pantile'): from Latin imbricat- 'covered with roof tiles', from the verb imbricare, from imbrex, imbric- 'roof tile' (from imber 'shower of rain')

imbricate in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of imbricate in the British & World English dictionary

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