decussate

3 definitions found

decussate - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Decussate \De*cus"sate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Decussated; p.
     pr. & vb. n. Decussating.] [L. decussatus, p. p. of
     decussare to cross like an X, fr. decussis (orig. equiv. to
     decem asses) the number ten, which the Romans represented by
     X.]
     To cross at an acute angle; to cut or divide in the form of
     X; to intersect; -- said of lines in geometrical figures,
     rays of light, nerves, etc. Decussate

  Decussate \De*cus"sate\, Decussated \De*cus"sa*ted\, a.
     1. Crossed; intersected.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. (Bot.) Growing in pairs, each of which is at right angles
        to the next pair above or below; as, decussated leaves or
        branches.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     3. (Rhet.) Consisting of two rising and two falling clauses,
        placed in alternate opposition to each other; as, a
        decussated period.
        [1913 Webster]

decussate - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  decussate
      adj 1: crossed or intersected in the form of an X [syn:
             decussate, intersectant, intersecting]
      v 1: cross or intersect so as to form a cross; "this nerve
           decussates the other"; "the fibers decussate"