from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Osculant \Os"cu*lant\, a. [L. osculans, -antis, p. pr. of
osculari to kiss. See {Osculate}.]
[1913 Webster]
1. Kissing; hence, meeting; clinging.
[1913 Webster]
2. (Zool.) Adhering closely; embracing; -- applied to certain
creeping animals, as caterpillars.
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3. (Biol.) Intermediate in character, or on the border,
between two genera, groups, families, etc., of animals or
plants, and partaking somewhat of the characters of each,
thus forming a connecting link; interosculant; as, the
genera by which two families approximate are called
osculant genera.
[1913 Webster]