pinnate adj : of a leaf shape; featherlike; having leaflets on each side of a common axis [syn: pinnated]

English

Etymology

From pinnatus, from pinna

Adjective

pinnate

1. Resembling a feather.
2. Having two rows of branches, lobes, leaflets, or veins arranged on each side of a common axis

   Mimosa is a tree with pinnate leaves.

   The trunk is unbranched, often much shortened, and bears a crown of feathery or pinnate fronds.

Synonyms

• pinnated

See also

• pinnately
• palmate

Derived terms

• abruptly-pinnate
• bipinnate
• even-pinnate
• imparipinnate
• odd-pinnate
• paripinnate
• tripinnate
• tripinnated

Pinnate is a term used to describe feather-like or multi-divided features arising from both sides of a common axis in plant or animal structures, and comes from the Latin word pinna for "feather". A similar term is pectinate, which refers to a comb-like arrangement of parts (arising from one side of an axis). The term contrasts somewhat with palmate, in which the parts or structures radiate out from a common point.

• The fish, Platax pinnatus, is known as the pinnate spadefish or pinnate batfish.

See also

• Leaf shape