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pel·tate

(pĕltāt′)

adj.

Having a flat circular structure attached to a stalk near the center, rather than at or near the margin; shield-shaped: the peltate leaf of the nasturtium.

[Latin peltātus, armed with a small shield, from Latin pelta, small shield, from Greek peltē; see pel-³ in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]

peltate′ly adv.

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peltate

peltate leaf

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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