osculate
/ˈɒskjʊleɪt/
verb
Origin
Latin
osculum — kiss, diminutive of os (mouth)
Overview
Meaning Now
- To kiss.
- In geometry, to touch at a point of curvature such that the curves have a common tangent and curvature.
Literal older meaning
to provide a little mouth
Language path
Latin → English
Earliest form
osculari
Earliest period
17th century
Journey
The term is derived from the Latin 'osculum', which was a diminutive of 'os' (mouth). While it became a formal or humorous synonym for 'kiss' in English, its use in geometry stems from the idea of two curves 'kissing' at a point of contact.
Evolution
- Proto-Indo-European
*ōs-
“mouth”
- Latin
osculum
“little mouth; kiss”
- Late Latin
osculari
“to kiss”
- English
osculate
“to kiss; to touch (geometry)”
Connections
Word parts
oscul-
root
kiss
-ate
suffix
verb-forming suffix
Related across languages
French
osculer
to osculate
Italian
osculare
to kiss
Explore next
Related to osculate
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.