Other

imbricate

chiefly Zoology & Botany

Definition of imbricate

verb

Pronunciation: /ˈɪmbrɪkeɪt/

[with object] (usually as adjective imbricated)

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

adjective

Pronunciation: /ˈɪmbrɪkət/

(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 US English dictionary

Nearby words

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