Word of the Day

: October 22, 2009

rugose

adjective ROO-gohss

What It Means

1 : full of wrinkles

2 : having the veinlets sunken and the spaces between elevated

rugose in Context

Sam has happy memories of being a child in his grandmother's lap, stroking her soft, rugose face.

Did You Know?

"Rugose" was borrowed into English in the late 17th century from the Latin adjective "rugosus" ("wrinkled"), which itself derives from "ruga" ("wrinkle"). One descendant of "ruga" that you'll probably recognize is "corrugate," which initially meant "to form or shape into wrinkles or folds." Another, which might be more familiar to scientists, is "rugulose," meaning "finely wrinkled." In addition, there is the noun "rugosity," which can refer to either the quality or state of being full of wrinkles or an individual wrinkled place.