apiculation
|a-pic-u-la-tion|
🇺🇸
/əˌpɪkjuˈleɪʃən/
🇬🇧
/əˌpɪkjʊˈleɪʃən/
small pointed tip
Etymology
'apiculation' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'apiculus' (a diminutive of 'apex'), where 'apex' meant 'tip' and the diminutive suffix '-ulus' meant 'small'.
'apiculus' led to Medieval/Neo-Latin forms such as 'apiculatus', from which the adjective 'apiculate' entered scientific English; the noun 'apiculation' was later formed in English from that adjective.
Initially related to the idea of a 'small tip' (literal diminutive of 'tip'), it evolved into a descriptive adjective 'apiculate' meaning 'having a small pointed tip' and the noun 'apiculation' denoting that condition.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the condition or quality of being apiculate; having a small, distinct pointed tip (often used in botanical descriptions of leaves, petals, or other structures).
The apiculation of the leaf helped botanists identify the species.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/09/17 17:22