ˈsərs ə nˌāt adjective
Etymology: Latin circinatus, past participle of circinare to make round, from circinus pair of compasses, from circus circle
: rounded in outline: as
a. : characterized by or having the form of a flat coil of which the apex is the center
the retracted tongue of a butterfly forms a circinate coil
— used especially of arrangements of plant parts in vernation and of developing fern fronds
circinate bracken fronds unfolding
— see scorpioid
b. medicine , of lesions : having a sharply circumscribed and somewhat circular margin
• cir·ci·nate·ly adverb