Dictionary
1undulate
adjective un·du·late \ˈən-jə-lət, ˈən-dyə-, ˈən-də-, -ˌlāt\
Definition of UNDULATE
: having a wavy surface, edge, or markings <the undulate margin of a leaf>
Variants of UNDULATE
un·du·late or un·du·lat·ed \-ˌlā-təd\
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Origin of UNDULATE
Latin undulatus, from *undula, diminutive of unda wave — more at water
First Known Use: 1658
Other Botany Terms
Rhymes with UNDULATE
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2undulate
verb un·du·late \-ˌlāt\
: to move or be shaped like waves
un·du·lat·edun·du·lat·ing
Full Definition of UNDULATE
intransitive verb
1
: to form or move in waves : fluctuate
2
: to rise and fall in volume, pitch, or cadence
3
: to present a wavy appearance
transitive verb
: to cause to move in a wavy, sinuous, or flowing manner
See undulate defined for English-language learners
See undulate defined for kids
Origin of UNDULATE
Late Latin undula small wave, from Latin *undula
First Known Use: 1664
Synonym Discussion of UNDULATE
swing, wave, flourish, brandish, thrash mean to wield or cause to move to and fro or up and down. swing implies regular or uniform movement <swing the rope back and forth>. wave usually implies smooth or continuous motion <waving the flag>. flourish suggests vigorous, ostentatious, graceful movement <flourished the winning lottery ticket>. brandish implies threatening or menacing motion <brandishing a knife>. thrash suggests vigorous, abrupt, violent movement <an infant thrashing his arms about>.
swing, sway, oscillate, vibrate, fluctuate, waver, undulate mean to move from one direction to its opposite. swing implies a movement of something attached at one end or one side <the door suddenly swung open>. sway implies a slow swinging or teetering movement <trees swaying in the breeze>. oscillate stresses a usually regular alternation of direction <an oscillating fan>. vibrate suggests the rapid oscillation of an elastic body under stress or impact <the vibrating strings of a piano>. fluctuate suggests constant irregular changes of level, intensity, or value <fluctuating interest rates>. waver stresses irregular motion suggestive of reeling or tottering <the exhausted runner wavered before collapsing>. undulate suggests a gentle wavelike motion <an undulating sea of grass>.
swing, sway, oscillate, vibrate, fluctuate, waver, undulate mean to move from one direction to its opposite. swing implies a movement of something attached at one end or one side <the door suddenly swung open>. sway implies a slow swinging or teetering movement <trees swaying in the breeze>. oscillate stresses a usually regular alternation of direction <an oscillating fan>. vibrate suggests the rapid oscillation of an elastic body under stress or impact <the vibrating strings of a piano>. fluctuate suggests constant irregular changes of level, intensity, or value <fluctuating interest rates>. waver stresses irregular motion suggestive of reeling or tottering <the exhausted runner wavered before collapsing>. undulate suggests a gentle wavelike motion <an undulating sea of grass>.
UNDULATING Defined for Kids
undulate
verb un·du·late \ˈən-jə-ˌlāt, -də-, -dyə-\
un·du·lat·edun·du·lat·ing
Definition of UNDULATE for Kids
: to move in or as if in a wavy or flowing way <The curtains were streamers, undulating from the breeze … — Gail Carson Levine, Ella Enchanted>
Word Root of UNDULATE
The Latin word unda, meaning “wave,” gives us the root und. Words from the Latin unda have something to do with waves. To undulate is to move up and down like a wave. To inundate is to cover with a flood of waves. To surround, or encircle on all sides, is to enclose as if by waves. To abound is to be plentiful, like waves in the ocean.
Medical Dictionary
undulate
adjective un·du·late \ˈən-jə-lət, ˈən-d(y)ə-, -ˌlāt\
Medical Definition of UNDULATE
: having a wavy surface, edge, or markings <an undulate cell>
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