separate-leaved
|sep-a-rate-leaved|
/ˈsɛprətˌliːvd/
leaves not fused
Etymology
'separate-leaved' is a compound formed in modern English from 'separate' and 'leaved' (from 'leaf' + adjectival '-ed'), where 'separate' derives from Latin roots meaning 'to make apart' and 'leaved' indicates 'having leaves'.
'separate' comes into English via Middle English from Old French 'separer', ultimately from Latin 'separare' ('separatus'/'separatus'), and 'leaf' comes from Old English 'lēaf' giving the adjectival form 'leaved'; these elements combined in botanical usage to form the compound 'separate-leaved'.
Initially 'separate' meant 'set apart' or 'made distinct'; in the compound 'separate-leaved' the sense narrowed to describe the specific botanical condition of leaves being separate rather than fused.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
having leaves that are distinct and not fused together; with individual, separate leaf blades.
The separate-leaved species can be distinguished from its relatives by its clearly separate leaf blades.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/12/19 19:06