invaginate
/in-ˈva-jə-ˌnāt/ (ame, mw)
invaginate — verb
- invaginatepresent simple I / you / we / they
- invaginates3rd person singular
- invaginating-ing form
- invaginatedpast simple
1. to move one part into another so it becomes surrounded inside it, especially in
to move one part into another so it becomes surrounded inside it, especially in a body structure
The surgeon invaginated the damaged bowel end before closing the cut.
invaginate + body part during repair
The doctor invaginated the small tube into the opening to protect it.
invaginate + object + into + structure
During surgery, the team invaginated the weak area with a nearby flap.
The manual shows how to invaginate the lining around the soft implant.
- evert
means turn outward instead of inward
文法句型
invaginate + object + into + structure
invaginate + lining/tube/wall
用法筆記
The object is usually a lining, tube, wall, or damaged part that gets tucked into another structure. Distinguish it from sense 2, which focuses on the surface turning inward.
2. to turn a surface inward until the side that faced out now faces in
to turn a surface inward until the side that faced out now faces in
The pressure wave invaginated the cell wall near the center.
invaginate + wall
In class, the model invaginated the paper sheet into a deep pocket.
surface turns inward to form a pocket
The forceps invaginated the thin membrane along one side.
The pressure test invaginated the outer layer until it faced inward.
- invert
can be broader and does not always suggest a sheath-like fold
- fold inward
plain-English phrase for the same basic movement
- evert
describes the opposite outward turn
文法句型
invaginate + wall/layer/membrane
invaginate + surface + inward
用法筆記
This sense emphasizes the change in direction of a surface, not just the fact that something ends up covered. It often describes a wall, layer, or membrane.
3. to sink or fold inward on its own during a natural body process
to sink or fold inward on its own during a natural body process
As the embryo grew, one layer began to invaginate at the edge.
begin to invaginate
Under the microscope, the soft wall invaginated after the fluid drained.
intransitive biological change
During the test, the center of the pouch invaginated first.
When the pressure dropped, the thin tube invaginated near the joint.
- cave in
less technical and often suggests collapse rather than body structure change
- fold inward
plain-English alternative without the scientific tone
- bulge out
describes movement outward rather than inward
文法句型
something invaginates
begin to invaginate
用法筆記
Here the structure itself turns inward without a direct object. Distinguish it from senses 1 and 2, where another force or action causes the inward movement.