pedate
|pe-date|
/ˈpɛ.deɪt/
having feet / foot-like parts
Etymology
'pedate' originates from Latin, specifically the New Latin adjective 'pedatus', where the root 'pes / ped-' meant 'foot'.
'pedatus' (New Latin, used in scientific descriptions) passed into English as 'pedate' in technical biological usage, especially during the 18th–19th centuries.
Initially it meant 'having a foot' in a general sense; over time it retained that basic sense but became specialized in biological contexts to mean 'having feet or foot-like parts' or 'divided like a foot' in botany.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
in zoology: having feet; bearing one or more feet or foot-like appendages.
The fossil showed a pedate limb structure, indicating it had well-developed feet.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/12/11 00:16