A man named Sir Thomas Browne coined decussate in the 17th century to discuss the crossing fibers that make up human anatomy-for instance, skin tissue. The word continues to be found primarily in …

DECUSSATE definition: in the form of an X ; crossed; intersected. See examples of decussate used in a sentence.

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.

Jul 25, 2025 · A genus of fossil plants, in which the branches are ranged irregularly; leaves short, obtuse, inserted by a broad base, opposite, decussate, and arranged in four rows.

Factsheet What does the adjective decussate mean? There are two meanings listed in OED's entry for the adjective decussate. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

decussate in American English (verb dɪˈkʌseit, ˈdekəˌseit, adjective dɪˈkʌseit, -ɪt) (verb -sated, -sating) transitive verb or intransitive verb

The intersecting growth is described with the verb “to decussate,” but crosswise patterns of leaves and bark of plants can be described with the adjective form of “decussate.”

decussate - WordReference English dictionary, questions, discussion and forums. All Free.

Decussate definition: To cross or become crossed so as to form an X; intersect.

Each whorl is decussate (rotated by half the angle between the leaves in the whorl below), with only two or three whorls around the base.