decussate

(dē kus′āt′, dek′ə sāt′; for adj., usually di kus′it)

transitive verb, intransitive verb decussated, decussating

to cross or cut so as to form an ; intersect

Origin: < L decussatus, pp. of decussare, to cross in the form of an < decussis, the figure ten (X) < decem, ten

adjective

forming an ; decussated
Bot. arranged in pairs growing at right angles to those above and below: said of leaves or branches

Related Forms:

See decussate in American Heritage Dictionary 4

tr. & intr.v. de·cus·sat·ed, de·cus·sat·ing, de·cus·sates

To cross or become crossed so as to form an X; intersect.

adjective

Intersected or crossed in the form of an X.
Botany Arranged on a stem in opposite pairs at right angles to those above or below, resulting in four vertical rows: decussate leaves.

Origin:

Origin: Latin decussāre, decussāt-

Origin: , from decussis, the number ten, intersection of two lines (from the Romans' use of X for the numeral 10), a ten-as coin

Origin: : decem, ten; see dekm̥ in Indo-European roots

Origin: + assis, as (coin)

Related Forms:

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