nodulate

verb

nod·​u·​late

-jəˌlāt

-ed/-ing/-s

transitive verb

1

: nodulize

2

: to cause the formation of nodules on or in

some rhizobia are capable of nodulating several different legumes

intransitive verb

: to form or multiply in nodules

—used of symbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacteria

Word History

Etymology

probably back-formation from nodulated, adjective

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