Meaning & use
reticulate
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Meanings
adjectivenot comparabletechnical
Having a pattern of crossing lines that looks like a net or mesh.
Grammar: Used mainly in scientific descriptions before a noun: a reticulate pattern.
Patterns
- reticulate pattern
- reticulate veins
The leaf has a reticulate network of veins that is easy to see against the light.
Under the microscope, the surface showed a reticulate pattern of fine ridges.
verbtransitivetechnicalrare
To mark or arrange something so that it forms a net-like pattern or network.
Grammar: Takes an object: The fibers reticulate the surface. Rare outside technical writing.
Patterns
- reticulate something
- reticulate into something
Over time, the roots reticulate the soil into a dense web.
The artist used thin lines to reticulate the background of the painting.
Word forms
| third person singular | reticulates |
|---|---|
| past tense | reticulated |
| past participle | reticulated |
| -ing form | reticulating |
Common combinations
- reticulate pattern
- The snake's skin has a reticulate pattern.
- reticulate veins
- The leaves are broad with reticulate veins.
- reticulate network
- A reticulate network of cracks spread across the ice.
Synonyms and how they differ
- netted
- Netted is more everyday and simply means covered with a net or net-like material.
- meshed
- Meshed suggests an interlocking structure, often of threads or gears, rather than a visible pattern.
Word family
- reticulated adjective
- Having a net-like pattern, especially in biology (e.g., a reticulated giraffe).
- reticulation noun
- A net-like arrangement or pattern.
Commonly confused: reticulate or articulate?
reticulate vs articulate
Articulate means able to express ideas clearly, or to pronounce words distinctly; it sounds similar but has a completely different meaning.
Practice
The frog's skin is ______, covered in a fine net-like pattern.
Choose one answer.
'Reticulate' describes a net-like pattern, which fits the skin. 'Articulate' means clear in speech, 'ridiculous' means silly, and 'reticent' means unwilling to talk.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “reticulate”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.