decussate

1 of 2

verb

de·​cus·​sate ˈde-kə-ˌsāt  di-ˈkə-ˌsāt 

decussated; decussating

: intersect, cross

decussate

2 of 2

adjective

de·​cus·​sate ˈde-kə-ˌsāt 

di-ˈkə-sət

: arranged in pairs each at right angles to the next pair above or below

decussate leaves

Did you know?

The history of decussate leads us back to the intersection of decem, a word meaning "ten," and ass-, a form that refers to a unit of weight and specifically to a copper coin cut to a half-ounce. In the Roman numeral system the number 10 is represented by X, an intersection of two lines. A man named Sir Thomas Browne coined decussate in the 17th century to discuss the crossing fibers that make up human anatomy-for instance, skin tissue. The word continues to be found primarily in scientific contexts today.

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Latin decussatus, past participle of decussare to arrange crosswise, from decussis the number ten, numeral X, intersection, from decem + ass-, as unit — more at ace

First Known Use

Verb

1658, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

circa 1823, in the meaning defined above

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Medical Definition

decussate

verb

de·​cus·​sate ˈdek-ə-ˌsāt  di-ˈkəs-ˌāt 

decussated; decussating

: to intersect in the form of an X