lyrate

English

A lyrate leaf (Brassica napus)

Etymology

From New Latin lyrātus, from lyra (“lyre”).

Adjective

lyrate (comparative more lyrate, superlative most lyrate)

1. Shaped like a lyre.
   • 1969, Vladimir Nabokov, Ada or Ardor, Penguin, published 2011, page 205:

     The passage of time could only enhance his tenderness for the creature he clasped, this adored creature, whose motion was now more supple, whose haunches had grown more lyrate, whose hair-ribbon he had undone.

2. (botany, of leaves) Having a large terminal lobe and smaller rounded lobes toward its base.
   • 1976, T. G. Tutin, Flora Europaea, Volume 4: Plantaginaceae to Compositae (and Rubiaceae), page 72,

     Basal leaves simple, lyrate or pinnatifid; cauline leaves 1- to 2-pinnatifid, pinnatisect or simple.

Derived terms

• lyrate Asiatic hard clam (Meretrix lyrata)
• lyrate rockcress (Arabidopsis lyrata)
• lyrate rocksnail (†Leptoxis lirata^[sic], extinct)

Noun

lyrate (plural lyrates)

1. A long curved feather found in a bird's tail.

Anagrams

• Ratley, Tayler, elytra, raylet, realty, telary