Covering with a design in which one element covers a part of another (as with tiles or shingles)

Wikipedia Word definitions in Wikipedia
In sedimentology imbrication refers to a primary depositional fabric consisting of a preferred orientation of clasts such that they overlap one another in a consistent fashion, rather like a run of toppled dominoes. Imbrication is observed in conglomerates ...

Wiktionary Word definitions in Wiktionary
n. 1 a set of tiles or shingles that overlap like the scales of a fish 2 (context medicine English) overlapping of layers of tissue in wound closure or correctional surgery 3 (context geology English) a sedimentary deposition in which small, flat stones ...

WordNet Word definitions in WordNet
n. covering with a design in which one element covers a part of another (as with tiles or shingles) [syn: overlapping , lapping ]

Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary Word definitions in Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
1640s, from French imbrication , from Latin imbricare "to cover with tiles," from imbricem (nominative imbrex ) "curved roof tile used to draw off rain," from imber (genitive imbris ) "rain," from PIE *ombh-ro- "rain" (cognates: Sanskrit abhra "cloud, thunder-cloud, ...

The Collaborative International Dictionary Word definitions in The Collaborative International Dictionary
Imbrication \Im`bri*ca"tion\, n. [Cf. F. imbrication.] An overlapping of the edges, like that of tiles or shingles; hence, intricacy of structure; also, a pattern or decoration representing such a structure.