tr. & intr.v. de·cus·sat·ed, de·cus·sat·ing, de·cus·sates To cross or become crossed so as to form an X; intersect. adj. 1. Intersected or crossed in the form of an X. 2. Botany Arranged on a stem in opposite pairs, at right angles to those above or below: decussate leaves. [Latin decussāre, decussāt-, from decussis, the number ten, intersection of two lines (from the Romans' use of X for the numeral 10), a ten-as coin : decem, ten; see dek in the Appendix of Indo-European roots + assis, as (coin).] de·cussate′ly adv. ![]() (click for a larger image) decussate |
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