serrate

serrate — adjective

  • serratepositive
  • more serratecomparative
  • most serratesuperlative

1. describes an edge that is cut into a series of small, sharp points or teeth, sim

1.形容詞C1
釋義

describes an edge that is cut into a series of small, sharp points or teeth, similar to those of a saw blade

例句

Hao examined the serrate edge of the fossilized leaf under a microscope.

serrate + noun (leaf edge); used in botany

Jin studied the serrate edge of the coral fragment under a magnifying glass.

serrate edge + coral (biological specimen)

同義詞
  • jagged

    less regular; jagged edges are unevenly broken, while serrate implies a regular saw-like pattern

  • toothed

    broader term; any edge with projections can be toothed, not necessarily saw-shaped

  • saw-toothed

    direct equivalent in everyday language, especially for tool blades

  • notched

    implies V-shaped cuts removed from the edge rather than pointed projections

反義詞
  • smooth

    an edge without any projections or indentations

  • entire

    botany term for a leaf margin without any teeth or notches

用法筆記

Common in botany and zoology to describe physical features such as leaf margins or insect body parts. In everyday contexts, the form 'serrated' is far more frequent; 'serrate' appears mainly in technical descriptions.

常見錯誤

I bought a serrate bread knife at the store.
I bought a serrated bread knife at the store.
💡In everyday conversation, 'serrated' is the usual adjective for tools and kitchen knives. 'Serrate' as an adjective belongs mainly to scientific descriptions of plants and animals.

serrate — verb