online vocabulary.com

Recurvate - Meaning, Definition & English Examples

Recurvate means bent or curved backward, often used to describe something with a reverse or inward curve, such as a recurvate leaf or a recurved bow.

recurvate

/rɪˈkɜːrveɪt/ /rɪˈkɜːveɪt/

Definition:

Bent or curved backward or inward.

Synonyms:

Curved, bent, arched, hooked, bowed

Part of Speech:

Adjective, verb

Antonyms:

Straight, unbent

Common Collocations:

Recurvate leaves, recurvate spine, recurvate branches

Derivatives:

Recurvation, recurvature

Usage Tips:

Use "recurvate" to describe something with a distinct backward curve, like a bird's beak or plant parts.

Common Phrases:

Recurvate horns, recurvate petals, recurvate claws

Etymology:

From Latin *recurvatus*, past participle of *recurvare* ("to bend back").

Examples:

  • 1. The branches were recurvate, arching gracefully toward the ground.
  • 2. Her recurvate fingernails made it difficult to grasp small objects.
  • 3. The bird's recurvate beak was perfect for digging insects from bark.
  • 4. Botanists noted the plant's recurvate leaves as a unique adaptation.

MORE VOCABULARY LISTS