Standard Lemma guide

divaricate

adj · verb · 4 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • /daɪˈvæɹɪkeɪt/

1

adj

Meaning 1

Having wide angles between the branches.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: biology, botany, natural-sciences

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To spread apart; to (cause to) diverge or branch off.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: ambitransitive

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

spread apart

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • divaricate one's fingers

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: unfold, spread, spread out, open

4

verb

Meaning 4

branch off

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • The road divaricates here

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: diverge

History

Etymology

The verb is first attested in 1623, the adjective in 1788; borrowed from Latin dīvāricātus, perfect passive participle of dīvāricō (see -ate (verb-forming suffix) and -ate (adjective-forming suffix)), from dis- + vāricō (“to straddle, to stretch (the legs) apart”), from vāricus (“straddling”).

Real reading context

divaricate in complete knowledge articles