skirtshaped

Skirt-shaped is an adjective used to describe a form in which a lower portion flares outward, forming a skirt-like extension around a central axis. The edge of the lower part is typically broader than the upper portion and may be curved, scalloped, or even frilled. The term is descriptive and metaphorical, applied across disciplines to convey a common visual impression rather than a precise geometric specification.

In botany, skirt-shaped may describe plant parts such as calyces, bracts, or leaf bases that broaden toward the base or lower margin to surround or protect reproductive structures, or to provide a decorative surround. In geology and mineralogy, some rock textures or crystal fragments are described as skirt-shaped when a peripheral feature flares away from a central core. In architecture and decorative arts, skirt-shaped elements can refer to bases, moldings, or garments around a central column or form that flare outward toward their lower edges.

In fashion and product design, the term is sometimes used informally to describe silhouettes or components whose lower portions expand outward like a skirt, contributing to a widening profile toward the bottom. Because it is a comparative, not a standardized technical term, skirt-shaped is often found in descriptive notes, critiques, or field guides rather than formal classifications.

See also: flared shape, bell shape, trumpet shape, frill, ruffle.