imbricate

[ adjective im-bri-kit, -keyt; verb im-bri-keyt ]
/ adjective ˈɪm brɪ kɪt, -ˌkeɪt; verb ˈɪm brɪˌkeɪt /

adjective

overlapping in sequence, as tiles or shingles on a roof.
of, relating to, or resembling overlapping tiles, as decoration or drawings.
Biology. overlapping like tiles, as scales or leaves.
characterized by or as if by overlapping shingles.

verb (used with or without object), im·bri·cat·ed, im·bri·cat·ing.

to overlap, as tiles or shingles.

Origin of imbricate

1650–60; < Late Latin imbricātus tiled with imbrices, shaped like such a tile or tiling, equivalent to imbric- (stem of imbrex) imbrex + -ātus -ate1

OTHER WORDS FROM imbricate

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British Dictionary definitions for imbricate

imbricate

adjective (ˈɪmbrɪkɪt, -ˌkeɪt) imbricated

architect relating to or having tiles, shingles, or slates that overlap
botany (of leaves, scales, etc) overlapping each other

verb (ˈɪmbrɪˌkeɪt)

(tr) to decorate with a repeating pattern resembling scales or overlapping tiles

Derived forms of imbricate

imbricately, adverb imbrication, noun

Word Origin for imbricate

C17: from Latin imbricāre to cover with overlapping tiles, from imbrex pantile

Medical definitions for imbricate

imbricate
[ ĭmbrĭ-kāt′ ]

adj.

Having the edges overlapping in a regular arrangement like roof tiles or the scales of a fish.

Other words from imbricate

im′bri•cation n.