Word of the Day

: October 30, 2007

reticulate

adjective rih-TIK-yuh-lut

What It Means

1 : resembling a net or network; especially : having veins, fibers, or lines crossing

2 : being or involving evolutionary change dependent on genetic recombination involving diverse interbreeding populations

reticulate in Context

The reticulate pattern of the veins should help you identify the plant by its leaves.

Did You Know?

Though "reticulate" is used in many contexts, it finds particular use in the field of biology. "Reticulate" comes from the Latin word "reticulum," meaning "small net." It first appeared in English in the mid-1600s and was used in connection with the study of plants even back then. Scientists use "reticulate" to describe a net-like formation of veins, fibers, or lines that crosses something. For example, a leaf with a pattern of veins that resembles a net would be called a "reticulate leaf."

*Indicates the sense illustrated in the example sentence.