Serrulate
/ˈsɛr.jʊ.lət/noun
Finely toothed, like a tiny saw edge.
Did you know?It comes from Latin *serra* meaning “saw,” the same ancient root behind words like *serrated* and *serration*—so when botanists say a leaf is serrulate, they’re literally describing a miniature saw.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*ser-
“to cut, to separate”
Latin
Latin
serra
“saw”
Late Latin
Latin
serrula
“little saw”
Late Latin / Medieval Latin
Latin
serrulatus
“having little saws; finely saw-toothed”
19th Century
English
serrulate
“finely toothed, especially of a leaf edge”