circinate

• POS: Adjective
• HYPHEN: cir=ci=nate

CIDE DICTIONARY

circinate, a. [L. circinatus, p. p. of circinare to make round, fr. circinus a pair of compasses, from Gr. a circle.].

 Rolled together downward, the tip occupying the center; -- a term used in reference to foliation or leafing, as in ferns.  Gray.  [1913 Webster]

circinate, v. t. 

 To make a circle around; to encompass.  Bailey.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

circinate, adj. Bot. & Zool. rolled up with the apex in the centre, e.g. of young fronds of ferns.

Etymology

L circinatus past part. of circinare make round f. circinus pair of compasses