I. ˈfȯ(r)nəˌkāt, usu -ād.+V verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Late Latin fornicatus, past participle of fornicare, fornicari, from Latin fornic-, fornix arch, vault, arched basement (inhabited by people of the lower classes), brothel, probably from fornus, furnus oven — more at furnace
intransitive verb
: to commit fornication
transitive verb
: to engage in fornication with
II. -nə̇kə̇t, -nəˌkāt adjective
also for·ni·cat·ed -nəˌkādə̇d
Etymology: Latin fornicatus, from fornic-, fornix arch, vault + Latin -atus -ate, -ated
1. : having an arched or vaulted form
a small mollusk with an abruptly fornicate shell
broad fornicate leaves
2. of plants : having fornices