invaginate

[ verb in-vaj-uh-neyt; adjective in-vaj-uh-nit, -neyt ]
/ verb ɪnˈvædʒ əˌneɪt; adjective ɪnˈvædʒ ə nɪt, -ˌneɪt /

verb (used with object), in·vag·i·nat·ed, in·vag·i·nat·ing.

to insert or receive, as into a sheath; sheathe.
to fold or draw (a tubular organ) back within itself; intussuscept.

verb (used without object), in·vag·i·nat·ed, in·vag·i·nat·ing.

to become invaginated; undergo invagination.
to form a pocket by turning in.

adjective

folded or turned back upon itself.
sheathed.

Origin of invaginate

1650–60; < Medieval Latin invāgīnātus, past participle of invāgīnāre to sheathe. See in-2, vaginate

OTHER WORDS FROM invaginate

un·in·vag·i·nat·ed, adjective

Words nearby invaginate

inutterable, inuvik, inv., invade, invaginable, invaginate, invagination, invalid, invalidate, invalidism, invalidity

British Dictionary definitions for invaginate

invaginate

verb (ɪnˈvædʒɪˌneɪt)

pathol to push one section of (a tubular organ or part) back into itself so that it becomes ensheathed; intussuscept
(intr) (of the outer layer of an organism or part) to undergo invagination

adjective (ɪnˈvædʒɪnɪt, -ˌneɪt)

(of an organ or part) folded back upon itself

Derived forms of invaginate

invaginable, adjective

Word Origin for invaginate

C19: from Medieval Latin invāgīnāre, from Latin in- ² + vāgīna sheath

Medical definitions for invaginate

invaginate
[ ĭn-văj′ə-nāt′ ]

v.

To infold or become infolded so as to form a hollow space within a previously solid structure, as in the formation of a gastrula from a blastula.