Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web

decussate

 - 4 dictionary results

de⋅cus⋅sate

[v. di-kuhs-eyt, dek-uh-seyt; adj. di-kuhs-eyt, -it] verb, -sat⋅ed, -sat⋅ing, adjective
–verb (used with object), verb (used without object)
1. to cross in the form of an X; intersect.
–adjective
2. in the form of an X; crossed; intersected.
3. Botany. arranged along the stem in pairs, each pair at right angles to the pair next above or below, as leaves.

Origin:
1650–60; < ML decussātus divided in the form of an X (ptp. of decussāre), equiv. to L decuss(is) the numeral ten, orig., a ten-as weight (dec(em) ten + -ussis, comb. form of as as 2 ) + -ātus -ate 1


de⋅cus⋅sate⋅ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To decussate
de·cus·sate   (dĭ-kŭs'āt', děk'ə-sāt')   
tr. & intr.v.   de·cus·sat·ed, de·cus·sat·ing, de·cus·sates
To cross or become crossed so as to form an X; intersect.
adj.  
  1. Intersected or crossed in the form of an X.

  2. Botany Arranged on a stem in opposite pairs at right angles to those above or below, resulting in four vertical rows: decussate leaves.


[Latin decussāre, decussāt-, from decussis, the number ten, intersection of two lines (from the Romans' use of X for the numeral 10), a ten-as coin : decem, ten; see dek in Indo-European roots + assis, as (coin).]
de·cus'sate'ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: de·cus·sate
Pronunciation: 'dek-&-"sAt, di-'k&s-"At
Function: verb
Inflected Forms: -sat·ed;-sat·ing
: to intersect in the form of an X
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
Cite This Source
Medical Dictionary

decussate de·cus·sate (dĭ-kŭs'āt', děk'ə-sāt')
v. de·cus·sat·ed, de·cus·sat·ing, de·cus·sates
To cross or become crossed so as to form an X; intersect. adj.
Intersected or crossed in the form of an X.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
Search another word or see decussate on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us: