resupination: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2 (Very low frequency; technical/specialist)Technical/Scientific (primarily botanical); occasionally literary or medical.
Quick answer
What does “resupination” mean?
The act or state of being turned upside down or back on itself.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The act or state of being turned upside down or back on itself.
In botany, refers specifically to the twisting of a flower part (like an orchid lip) so that it appears upside down. More broadly, any reversal of natural position.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or frequency. Both varieties treat it as a highly technical term.
Connotations
Neutral and precise in scientific contexts; can sound archaic or pedantic in general use.
Frequency
Equally rare in both dialects.
Grammar
How to Use “resupination” in a Sentence
The resupination of [plant part][Plant part] exhibits resupination.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “resupination” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The developing ovary causes the flower to resupinate as it matures.
American English
- The lip will resupinate 180 degrees before anthesis.
adverb
British English
- The flower opens resupinately, presenting its lip downwards.
American English
- The petals were twisted resupinately.
adjective
British English
- The resupinate labellum is a key identifying feature.
American English
- They studied the resupinate growth form of the fungus.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in botanical papers and morphology descriptions.
Everyday
Extremely rare; would likely require explanation.
Technical
Primary domain: botany, specifically orchidology and plant morphology.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “resupination”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “resupination”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “resupination”
- Confusing with 'resupinate' (adjective).
- Using in non-technical contexts where 'inversion' is clearer.
- Misspelling as 'resupinisation' (UK) or 'resupinization' (US).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It literally means 'the act of bending or turning backwards or upside down'.
No. It is a highly specialised term used almost exclusively in botany, particularly when describing orchid flowers.
In botany, 'resupination' is a specific type of inversion involving a 180-degree twist of a plant organ, especially a flower part. In general language, 'inversion' is broader.
Very rarely. It might be used in literary or philosophical contexts to describe a complete reversal of order or values, but this is uncommon.
The act or state of being turned upside down or back on itself.
Resupination is usually technical/scientific (primarily botanical); occasionally literary or medical. in register.
Resupination: in British English it is pronounced /ˌrɛsjuːpɪˈneɪʃ(ə)n/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌriːsuːpɪˈneɪʃən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'RE-SUPINE-ation' – supine means lying face up; re-supination is like being made to lie face up again, i.e., turned over.
Conceptual Metaphor
NATURAL ORDER IS UP; ABNORMALITY IS DOWN/REVERSED.
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'resupination' most precisely and commonly used?