What is "decussate"

Decussate \De*cus"sate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Decussated; p. pr. & vb. n. Decussating.] [L. decussatus, p. p. of decussare to cross like an X, fr. decussis (orig. equiv. to decem asses) the number ten, which the Romans represented by X.] To cross at an acute angle; to cut or divide in the form of X; to intersect; -- said of lines in geometrical figures, rays of light, nerves, etc.

Decussate \De*cus"sate\, Decussated \De*cus"sa*ted\, a.

1. Crossed; intersected.

2. (Bot.) Growing in pairs, each of which is at right angles to the next pair above or below; as, decussated leaves or branches.

3. (Rhet.) Consisting of two rising and two falling clauses, placed in alternate opposition to each other; as, a decussated period.

1650s, from Latin decussatus, past participle of decussare "to divide crosswise, to cross in the form of an 'X,'" from decussis "the figure 'ten'" (in Roman numerals, represented by X) from decem "ten" (see ten). As an adjective, from 1825.

1. 1 Crossed; intersected; resembling a letter X. 2 (context botany English) Having opposite leaves arranged alternately at right angles. 3 (context rhetoric English) Consisting of two rising and two falling clauses, placed in alternate opposition to each other. v

2. To form an X or to cross or intersect.

1. adj. crossed or intersected in the form of an X [syn: intersectant, intersecting]

2. v. cross or intersect so as to form a cross; "this nerve decussates the other"; "the fibers decussate"