accumbent

adjective

ac·​cum·​bent

əˈkəmbənt,

(ˈ)a¦k-

1

: leaning or reclining especially at meals

the Roman accumbent posture in eating

2

botany : lying against something

—used chiefly of cotyledons having their edges folded against the hypocotyl (as in many crucifers) compare conduplicate, incumbent

3

zoology : closely applied to a surface (as of the wing scales of certain insects)

Word History

Etymology

Latin accumbent-, accumbens, present participle of accumbere to lie down, recline at table, from ad- + -cumbere to lie down (akin to cubare to lie down)

First Known Use

1680, in the meaning defined at sense 2

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