serrate

[adj. ser-eyt, -it; v. ser-eyt, suh-reyt] /adj. ˈsɛr eɪt, -ɪt; v. ˈsɛr eɪt, səˈreɪt/
adjective
1.
Chiefly Biology. notched on the edge like a saw:
a serrate leaf.
2.
Numismatics. (of a coin) having a grooved edge.
3.
serrated.
verb (used with object), serrated, serrating.
4.
to make serrate or serrated:
He serrated the knives so they would cut meat easily.
Origin
1590-1600; < Latin serrātus, equivalent to serr(a) saw + -ātus -ate1
Related forms
subserrate, adjective
unserrate, adjective
Examples from the web for serrate
  • Each leaf consists of three obovate leaflets with serrate leaf margins.
  • All are alternate, doubly serrate, featherveined, petiolate, and stipulate.
British Dictionary definitions for serrate

serrate

adjective (ˈsɛrɪt; -eɪt)
1.
(of leaves) having a margin of forward pointing teeth
2.
having a notched or sawlike edge
verb (səˈreɪt)
3.
(transitive) to make serrate
Word Origin
C17: from Latin serrātus saw-shaped, from serra a saw
Word Origin and History for serrate
adj.

"notched," 1660s, from Latin serratus "sawlike, notched like a saw," from serra "a saw," of unknown origin. Related: Serrated; serrating.

serrate in Medicine

serrate ser·rate (sěr'āt') or ser·rat·ed (-ā'tĭd)
adj.

  1. Having or forming a row of small, sharp, projections resembling the teeth of a saw.

  2. Having a saw-toothed edge or margin notched with toothlike projections.