Cordate

/ˈkɔːrdeɪt/ adjective

Definition

Heart-shaped, with the point directed away from the base; used especially in botany to describe leaves.

Etymology

From Latin cor meaning 'heart,' combined with the suffix -ate meaning 'having the form of.' Medieval botanists borrowed this Latin term to precisely describe leaf shapes.

Kelly Says

Biologists use this term to describe leaves that look like playing-card hearts, and it's a perfect example of how scientists borrow everyday shapes to quickly communicate complex information across languages.

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