alate

Thân thiện

The maple tree releases its alate seeds into the breeze.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Having winglike extensions: Used to describe seeds, fruits, or insects that possess thin, flat, wing-like structures that aid in dispersal or flight.

Examples of Usage

• Adjective:
  • The maple tree produces alate seeds that spin as they fall.
  • An alate insect, like a termite swarmer, has wings for its dispersal flight.

Advanced Usage

• Botanical Context: In botany, "alate" specifically describes seeds or fruits with wing-like appendages (samaras) that enable wind dispersal.
  • The ash tree is known for its clusters of alate fruits.
• Entomological Context: In entomology, "alate" describes the winged, reproductive form of social insects like ants or termites.
  • After the rain, alate ants emerged from the colony to mate and establish new nests.

Variants and Related Words

• Alated (adjective): A less common variant with the same meaning.
  • The alated seeds were carried far by the wind.
• Winged (adjective): A more general synonym.
• Dealate (adjective): The state of having shed wings, often used for insects after their mating flight.
  • The dealate queen termite burrowed into the soil to start a new colony.

Synonyms

• Winged: Having wings or wing-like parts.
• Volant: (Technical) Flying or capable of flight.

Related Terms (Not Phrasal Verbs)

• Samara: A type of dry fruit with an alate structure.
• Dispersal: The movement of seeds or spores away from the parent plant, often aided by alate structures.

Học thuật

Adjective

1. (of seeds or insects) having winglike extensions
   • alate leaves
   • alate seeds of a maple tree

Từ đồng nghĩa

• alated