Definition of: imbricate

(im′brə·kāt) v. ·cat·ed, ·cat·ing v.t.
To lay or arrange regularly so as to overlap, as tiles on a roof.
—v.i. To overlap.
—adjective (-brə·kit)
1. Lying regularly over one another like shingles or slates, so as to break joints.
2. Biol. Overlapping with the extremities or margins, as the scales of fishes, the feathers of birds, or flower petals in the bud.
3. Decorated with overlapping scales, or so as to represent a surface of overlapping scales or tiles. Also im′bri·cat′ed, im′bri·ca′tive. [<L imbricatus, pp. of imbricare cover with gutter tiles <imbrex gutter tile <imber rain]
—im′bri·ca′tive·ly adverb