Osculate (Verb)
Meaning 1
Be intermediate between two taxonomic groups; "These species osculate".
Classification
Verbs of being, having, spatial relations.
Examples
- The newly discovered species seemed to osculate between the family of flowering plants and the family of conifers, making classification challenging.
- These species osculate, sharing characteristics from both the order Carnivora and the order Primates, which suggests a common ancestor.
- Scientists have been studying the unique organisms that osculate between prokaryotes and eukaryotes, revealing insights into evolutionary history.
- The unusual traits of the organism osculate between those of a plant and an animal, defying traditional taxonomic categories.
- This genus osculates between the subphylum Vertebrata and the phylum Arthropoda, presenting an intriguing example of convergent evolution.
Meaning 2
Touch with the lips or press the lips (against someone's mouth or other body part) as an expression of love, greeting, etc.; "The newly married couple kissed"; "She kissed her grandfather on the forehead when she entered the room".
Classification
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging.
Examples
- As her boyfriend walked in, she osculated his cheek and welcomed him to the party.
- His grandmother leaned forward and osculated him on the lips as a gentle and loving gesture.
- After their wedding ceremony, the newlyweds osculated, then turned and smiled at their cheering friends and family.
- She was hesitant at first, but eventually osculated him on the cheek as a friendly goodbye.
- The youngest child osculated her stuffed rabbit every night before going to sleep, as if it were her companion.
Synonyms
Hypernyms
Hyponyms
Related Words
Meaning 3
Have at least three points in common with; "one curve osculates the other"; "these two surfaces osculate".
Classification
Verbs of being, having, spatial relations.
Examples
- The circle and the helix osculate at exactly three points along their shared path.
- The two parabolas osculate since they share both a tangent and a point of inflection.
- At precisely two points, the spiral osculates the outer boundary of the rectangular shape.
- These two curves osculate along their common tangent line at a singular point.
- When projected onto a 2D plane, these adjacent polygons osculate to form a near-seamless edge.