undulate

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. verb stir up (water) so as to form ripples
  2. verb occur in soft rounded shapes
  3. verb move in a wavy pattern or with a rising and falling motion

Etymology

First attested in 1664; borrowed from New Latin undulātus, the perfect passive participle of undulō (see -ate (verb-forming suffix)), from an unattested *undula (“small wave”), diminutive of Latin unda (“wave”).

In classic literature

Synonyms

ripple, ruffle, riffle, cockle

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