Geniculate

/dʒɪˈnɪkjʊleɪt/ adjective

Definition

Having a sharp bend or angle like a knee; bent at an acute angle; characterized by knee-like joints or projections.

Etymology

From Latin 'geniculatus' (having knees or bent joints), from 'geniculum' (knee). Used anatomically to describe structures with sharp bends, and in botany for plants with angular stems.

Kelly Says

Scientists describe bent things using the word for 'knee'—a 'geniculate' antenna or stem is literally a knee-like structure, which is how anatomy and biology borrow from body parts to describe other structures!

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