| imbricate | Of perianth parts, having the edges overlapping in the bud. Compare: valvate. (09 Oct 1997) |
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| imbricated | 1. Bent and hollowed like a roof or gutter tile. 2. Lying over each other in regular order, so as to "break joints," like tiles or shingles on a roof, the scales on the leaf buds of plants and the cups of some acorns, or the scales of fishes; overlapping each other at the margins, as leaves in aestivation. 3. In decorative art: Having scales lapping one over the other, or a representation of such scales; as, an imbricated surface; an imbricated pattern. Origin: L. Imbricatus, p.p. Of imbricare to cover with tiles, to form like a gutter tile, fr. Imbrex, -icis, a hollow tile, gutter tile, fr. Imber rain. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |