reticulate

/ri'tikjulit/

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Word: Reticulate

Part of Speech: Adjective and Verb

Meaning:

1. As an Adjective: "Reticulate" describes something that resembles or forms a network. Think of a net or any structure that has many connections or lines, like the veins in a leaf or a system of roads.

2. As a Verb: To "reticulate" means to divide something to create a network or to distribute it through a network. This can refer to things like water or electricity flowing through pipes.

Usage Instructions:

• Use "reticulate" as an adjective to describe shapes or patterns that are interconnected or have a network-like appearance.
• Use it as a verb when talking about the action of creating a network or when something is being distributed through a network.

Examples:

• Adjective: "The reticulate veins of a leaf help transport nutrients and water."
• Verb: "The city planners decided to reticulate the water supply to improve access for all neighborhoods."

Advanced Usage:

In scientific or technical discussions, "reticulate" is often used to describe complex structures, such as the intricate patterns in biological systems or the design of certain technologies.

Word Variants:

• Reticulation (noun): The act of forming a network or the state of being reticulated. For example, "The reticulation of the river system is vital for irrigation."
• Reticulated (adjective): This form can also refer to something that has a net-like pattern or arrangement.

Different Meanings:

• In biology, "reticulate" can describe a specific pattern of growth or arrangement in organisms.
• In geometry, it might refer to networks of lines or shapes that connect in a specific way.

Synonyms:

• Networked
• Interconnected
• Lattice (when referring to a specific type of network)
• Webbed

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

While there are no direct idioms or phrasal verbs that include "reticulate," you can think of phrases that convey the idea of connection or networking, such as "to tie together" or "to link up."

Summary:

"Reticulate" is a versatile word that can describe both the appearance of things that are interconnected and the action of creating or distributing networks.

Academic

Adjective

1. resembling or forming a network
   • the reticulate veins of a leaf
   • a reticulated highway system

Verb

1. divide so as to form a network
2. distribute by a network, as of water or electricity
3. form a net or a network

Synonyms

• reticular