I. ˈkyümyəˌlāt, ÷-mə-, usu -ād.+V verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Latin cumulatus, past participle of cumulare to pile up, from cumulus heap, mass; akin to Latin cavus hollow — more at cave
transitive verb
1. : to gather or pile up into a heap : heap together : accumulate
2.
a. : to combine (as votes, law actions, or penalties) into one ; specifically : to combine (the entries of preceding issues) in successive issues (as of an index or catalog)
b. : to enlarge (a collection) by addition of new material
cumulate an index
intransitive verb
: to become massed : form into a cumulus : accumulate
sets up tensions which cumulate — P.M.Gregory
II. -_lə̇t, -ˌlāt adjective
Etymology: Latin cumulatus
: heaped up : gathered in a heap