▪ I. serrate, a. Chiefly Nat. Hist.
(ˈsɛreɪt)
[ad. L. serrāt-us, f. serra saw: see -ate2.]
Having or forming a row of small projections resembling the teeth of a saw; jagged or notched like a saw. serrate leaf: see quot. 1866.
| 1668 Wilkins Real Char. ii. iv. §3. 109 Oblong shining serrate leaves. 1691 Ray Creation i. (1692) 145 All [Birds] that have serrate Teeth are carnivorous. 1713 Derham Phys.-Theol. iv. xv. (1727) 256 note, Strong hooked Talons, (one of which is remarkably serrate on the Edge) the better to hold their Prey. 1861 Bentley Man. Bot. 158 The leaf is serrate, as in the common Nettles. 1866 Treas. Bot., Serrate, having sharp straight-edged teeth pointing to the apex. When these are themselves serrate, they are biserrate or duplicato-serrate. |
b. Comb., as serrate-spined, serrate-toothed adjs.; also = serrato-.
| 1793 Martyn Lang. Bot., Serrato-ciliatum folium, a Serrate-ciliate leaf. Ibid., Serrato-dentatum folium, a Serrate-toothed leaf. 1850 F. Mason Burmah 323 Serrate-spined Cat-fish. |
▪ II. ˈserrate, v.
[f. L. serrāt-, ppl. stem of serrāre, f. serra saw.]
1. intr. To saw. Only in vbl. n.
| 1597 A. M. tr. Guillemeau's Fr. Chirurg. 38/1 The membrane Periostium..which also in serratinge or sawinge might be some hinderance. |
2. trans. To make serrated or saw-toothed, jag the edge of; to impress in a serrated form.
| 1750 Phil. Trans. XLVII. 41 This mark..is found..impress'd or serrated on the new shell. 1865 Morn. Star 4 Oct., This corner of Ireland is absolutely serrated with bays. 1877 Encycl. Brit. VI. 32/1 If you make any rude sketch..of a pair of wheels acting together, and serrate the edges of the teeth. 1893 ‘Q.’ Delect. Duchy 47 The larches and Scotch firs that serrate the long ridge above. |