turbinate Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun any of the scrolled spongy bones of the nasal passages in man and other vertebrates
    turbinate bone; turbinal.
  2. adjective of or relating to the scroll-shaped turbinate bones in the nasal passages
  3. adjective satellite in the shape of a coil
    helical; spiraling; spiral; voluted; whorled; volute; coiling.

WordNet

Tur"bi*nate intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To revolve or spin like a top; to whirl. R.
Tur"bi*nate, Tur"bi*na`ted adjective (Also<
  • Turbinate
  • Turbinated
)
Etymology
L. turbinatus, turbo, turben, -inis, a whirl, top.
Definitions
  1. Whirling in the manner of a top.
    A spiral and turbinated motion of the whole. Bentley.
  2. (Bot.) Shaped like a top, or inverted cone; narrow at the base, and broad at the apex; as, a turbinated ovary, pericarp, or root.
  3. (Anat.) Turbinal.
  4. (Zoöl.) Spiral with the whorls decreasing rapidly from a large base to a pointed apex; -- said of certain shells.

Webster 1913