divaricate

verb

di·​var·​i·​cate dī-ˈver-ə-ˌkāt How to pronounce divaricate (audio)
də,
-ˈva-rə-
divaricated; divaricating

transitive verb

: to spread apart : branch off : diverge

Word History

Etymology

Latin divaricatus, past participle of divaricare, from dis- + varicare to straddle — more at prevaricate

First Known Use

1673, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of divaricate was in 1673

Dictionary Entries Near divaricate

divariant

divaricate

divarication

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Divaricate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/divaricate. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.

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