What is "pectinate"

Pectinate \Pec"ti*na`te\, Pectinated \Pec"ti*na`ted\, a. [L. pectinatus, p. pr. of pectinare to comb, from pecten, -inis, a comb; cf. Gr. ? to comb, AS. feax hair, OHG. fahs, E. paxwax.]

1. Resembling the teeth of a comb.

2. (Nat. Hist.) Having very narrow, close divisions, in arrangement and regularity resembling those of a comb; comblike; as, a pectinate leaf; pectinated muscles. See Illust. (e) of Antenn[ae].

3. Interlaced, like two combs. [R.] ``Our fingers pectinated, or shut together.''
   --Sir T. Browne.

   Pectinate claw (Zo["o]l.), a claw having a serrate edge, found in some birds, and supposed to be used in cleaning the feathers.

1. 1 Resembling a com

2. 2 Having segments which are greatly lengthened to one side. 3 (context mycology English) striate n. (context chemistry English) An ester or salt formed of pectinic acid.

adj. like a comb

Pectinate may refer to:

• Pectinate line, a line which divides the upper two thirds and lower third of the anal canal
• Pectinate muscles, parallel ridges in the walls of the atria of the heart