Conjugate

/ˈkɒn.d͡ʒə.ɡeɪt/ · verb

Meaning

(grammar, transitive) To inflect (a verb) for each person, in order, for one or more tenses; to list or recite its principal parts..

Definitions by Sense

1. (grammar, transitive) To inflect (a verb) for each person, in order, for one or more tenses; to list or recite its principal parts.
2. (mathematics) To multiply on the left by one element and on the right by its inverse.
3. (rare) To join together, to unite; to juxtapose.
4. (biology, of bacteria and algae) To temporarily fuse, exchanging or transferring DNA.
5. Any entity formed by joining two or more smaller entities together.
6. (algebra, of a complex number) A complex conjugate.
7. (algebra) More generally, any of a set of irrational or complex numbers that are zeros of the same polynomial with integral coefficients.
8. (algebra, field theory, of an element of an extension field) Given a field extension L / K and an element α ∈ L, any other element β ∈ L that is another root of the minimal polynomial of α over K.

Example Sentences

In English, the verb 'to be' is conjugated as follows: 'I am', 'you are', 'he/she/it is', 'we are', 'you are', 'they are'.

The effects of hunger were often conjugated with epidemic disease.

17th c, John Bramhall, We have learned in logic, that conjugates are sometimes in name only, and not in deed.

Some of the most widely-applied Gresley features will doubtless long remain a subject of controversy among locomotive engineers, and in particular his patent conjugate valve-motion for 3-cylinder engines, whereby the piston-valve of the middle cylinder derives its motion from the two outside Walschaerts valve-gears.

Synonyms for conjugate

Antonyms for conjugate

Related Words

Word Forms

• conjugates
• conjugating
• conjugated

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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