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undulate

 - 3 dictionary results

un⋅du⋅late

  [v. uhn-juh-leyt, uhn-dyuh-, -duh-; adj. uhn-juh-lit, -leyt, uhn-dyuh-, -duh-] verb, -lat⋅ed, -lat⋅ing, adjective
Use undulate in a Sentence
–verb (used without object)
1. to move with a sinuous or wavelike motion; display a smooth rising-and-falling or side-to-side alternation of movement: The flag undulates in the breeze.
2. to have a wavy form or surface; bend with successive curves in alternate directions.
3. (of a sound) to rise and fall in pitch: the wail of a siren undulating in the distance.
–verb (used with object)
4. to cause to move in waves.
5. to give a wavy form to.
–adjective
6. Also, un⋅du⋅lat⋅ed. having a wavelike or rippled form, surface, edge, etc.; wavy.
Origin:
1650–60; < L undulātus waved, equiv. to und(a) wave + -ul(a) -ule + -ātus -ate 1

Related forms:
un⋅du⋅la⋅tor, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To undulate
un·du·late   (ŭn'jə-lāt', ŭn'dyə-, -də-)   


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v.   un·du·lat·ed, un·du·lat·ing, un·du·lates

v.   tr.

  1. To cause to move in a smooth wavelike motion.

  2. To give a wavelike appearance or form to.

v.   intr.

  1. To move in waves or with a smooth, wavelike motion. See Synonyms at swing.

  2. To have a wavelike appearance or form.

  3. To increase and decrease in volume or pitch as if in waves.

adj.   (-lĭt, -lāt')
Having a wavy outline or appearance: leaves with undulate margins.

[From Late Latin undula, small wave, diminutive of Latin unda, wave; see wed-1 in Indo-European roots.]
un'du·la·to'ry (-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.
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: un·du·late
Pronunciation: '&n-j&-l&t, '&n-d(y)&-, -"lAt
Function: adjective
: having a wavy surface, edge, ormarkings undulate cell>
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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