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orotund
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A.Word.A.Day--pinnate

Pronunciation RealAudio

pinnate (PIN-ayt) adjective

Resembling a feather, having similar parts arranged on opposite sides of a common axis.

[From Latin pinnatus (feathered), from pinna (feather), ultimately from Indo-European root pet- (to rush, fly). Other words from this root are pin, impetus, and pinnacle.]

"There are a number of characteristics that a critical person can use to tell the difference between the Neem tree and Melia. Neem has leaf blades that emerge directly from a main stalk which are referred to as compound pinnate leaves."
Ebenezer Bifubyeka; Do You Know the Real Neem Tree?; New Vision (Kampala, Uganda); Apr 2, 2002.

"If you like that purple pinnate foliage outdoors, think about the honey-locust tree Gleditsia triacanthos 'Rubylace'."
Stephen Anderton; The Times Gardener; The Times (London, UK); Dec 7, 2002.

This week's theme: yours to discover.

X-Bonus

To be able under all circumstances to practice five things constitutes perfect virtue; these five things are gravity, generosity of soul, sincerity, earnestness and kindness. -Confucius, philosopher and teacher (c. 551-478 BCE)

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