Crenate

Crenate is an adjective and verb used to describe a margin or border that shows small, rounded indentations or projections, giving a scalloped appearance. The term derives from the Latin crenatus, meaning notched or scalloped. In describing shapes, a crenate edge typically features shallow, rounded teeth separated by slight concavities, rather than sharp, pointed serrations.

In botany, crenate margins are commonly used to describe leaves, petals, and other plant parts whose edges are indented with rounded teeth. This contrasts with serrate margins, which have more pointed teeth. The term can be applied to various plant species where the leaf or floral margins exhibit the characteristic scalloped profile.

In cell biology and medicine, crenate describes a cell that has become crenated, usually due to exposure to a hypertonic environment. Red blood cells, for example, may shrink and develop scalloped outlines when placed in concentrated saline solutions. Crenation is the resulting morphological change, and crenate refers to the action that causes it.

The word is also found in broader descriptive contexts to indicate surfaces, crystals, or other borders that appear scalloped or notched. In some cases, crenate and crenulate are used somewhat interchangeably to denote fine scalloped margins.

See also: crenation, crenulate, serrate, margin terminology.