operculate

adjective

oper·​cu·​late ō-ˈpər-kyə-lət How to pronounce operculate (audio)
variants or less commonly operculated
ō-ˈpər-kyə-ˌlā-təd How to pronounce operculate (audio)
: having an operculum

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from New Latin operculātus, going back to Latin, past participle of operculāre "to cover with a lid," derivative of operculum "cover, lid" — more at operculum

First Known Use

circa 1775, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of operculate was circa 1775

Dictionary Entries Near operculate

opercular bones

operculate

operculi-

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Operculate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/operculate. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

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