Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web
Popular Searches
Synonyms
Nearby Words

osculatory

 - 3 dictionary results

os⋅cu⋅late

  [os-kyuh-leyt] verb, -lat⋅ed, -lat⋅ing.
Use osculatory in a Sentence
–verb (used without object)
1. to come into close contact or union.
2. Geometry. (of a curve) to touch another curve or another part of the same curve so as to have the same tangent and curvature at the point of contact.
–verb (used with object)
3. to bring into close contact or union.
4. Geometry. (of a curve) to touch (another curve or another part of the same curve) in osculation.
5. to kiss.
Origin:
1650–60; < L ōsculātus (ptp. of ōsculārī to kiss), equiv. to ōscul(um) kiss, lit., little mouth (see osculum ) + -ātus -ate 1

Related forms:
os⋅cu⋅la⋅to⋅ry  [os-kyuh-luh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee] , adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To osculatory
os·cu·la·tion   (ŏs'kyə-lā'shən)   
n.  

    1. The act of kissing.

    2. A kiss.

  2. Mathematics A contact, as between two curves or surfaces, at three or more common points.

os'cu·la·to'ry (ŏs'kyə-lə-tôr'ē, -tōr'ē) adj.
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
Word Origin & History

osculate 
"to kiss," 1656, from L. osculari, from osculum "kiss," lit. "little mouth," dim. of os "mouth" (see oral).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Search another word or see osculatory on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us:
Partner Sites:
Ask AnswersEviteExpediaHotelsHotwireLife123LiveDailyMy Way