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Rugose was borrowed into English in the late 17th century from the Latin adjective rugosus ("wrinkled"), which itself derives from "ruga" ("wrinkle"). One descendant of "ruga" that you'll probably recognize is "corrugate," which initially meant "to form or shape into wrinkles or folds." Another, which might be more familiar to scientists, is rugulose, meaning "finely wrinkled." In addition, there is the noun "rugosity," which can refer to either the quality or state of being full of wrinkles or an individual wrinkled place.
Examples of rugose in a Sentence
Valeria Kogan, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2025
Tomato brown rugose fruit virus was spreading, and unidentified diseases were afflicting onions and cabbages in Uganda, which was on the verge of being overrun by banana bunchy top virus.
—Matthew Gavin Frank, Harper's Magazine, 21 Oct. 2022
Cite this Entry
“Rugose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rugose. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
rugose
adjective
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