On Kissing Terms

os·cu·late

 IPA [os-kyuh-leyt] verb, -lat·ed, -lat·ing.

–verb (used without object)

1 to come into close contact or union.

2. Geometry . (of a curve) to touch another curve or another part of the same curve so as to have the same tangent and curvature at the point of contact.

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–verb (used with object)

3. to bring into close contact or union.

4. Geometry . (of a curve) to touch (another curve or another part of the same curve) in osculation.

5.to kiss.

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Origin:
1650–60;  < Latin ōsculātus  (past participle of ōsculārī  to kiss), equivalent to ōscul ( um ) kiss, literally, little mouth ( see osculum) + -ātus -ate¹

—Related forms

os·cu·la·to·ry  [os-kyuh-luh-tawr-ee, -tohr-ee] Show IPA, adjective

un·os·cu·lat·ed, adjective

—Can be confused:  oscillate, osculate .

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Related Words for : osculate

buss, kiss

World English Dictionary

osculate  (ˈɒskjʊˌleɪt)
— vb
1.	jocular usually  to kiss
2.	( intr ) (of an organism or group of organisms) to be intermediate between two taxonomic groups
3.	geometry  to touch in osculation
[C17: from Latin ōsculārī  to kiss; see osculum ]

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
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Word Origin & History

osculate

"to kiss," 1656, from L. osculari,  from osculum  "kiss," lit. "little mouth," dim. of os  "mouth" (see oral).

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper