Pronunciation: [lˈe͡ɪbɪˌe͡ɪt] (IPA) 
The word "labiate" is spelled with the letters L-A-B-I-A-T-E. In IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription, it is pronounced /ˈleɪ.bi.ət/. The stress is on the second syllable, which contains the "long a" sound /eɪ/ and the "short i" sound /ɪ/. The "b" and "t" in "labiate" are pronounced as they are in their standard sounds. This word refers to plants with flowers that have a lip-like structure, such as mint and sage.
Labiate is an adjective that refers to something having lips or lip-shaped parts. It is derived from the Latin word "labium," meaning "lip." This term is commonly used in the field of botany to describe plants or flowers whose corollas (petals of a flower collectively) are fused into a two-lipped shape. The labiate corolla is most noticeable in plants belonging to the mint family (Lamiaceae), characterized by their distinctive square stems and opposite leaves.
In addition to its botanical usage, labiate also finds application in the medical field. In this context, it describes a condition related to the lips or their structures. For instance, labiate lesions refer to abnormalities or disorders occurring on the lips, whereas labiate cleft palate pertains to a congenital disorder characterized by a split or gap in the upper lip and the roof of the mouth.
Furthermore, the term can be used metaphorically to describe any object, feature, or structure that resembles or has the appearance of a lip. For example, labiate architecture may denote a building design that incorporates lip-like elements or ornaments.
Overall, labiate is a versatile word that encompasses botanical, medical, and metaphorical usages. Its etymology from the Latin word "labium" provides a clear understanding of its meaning, which lies in describing lips or lip-shaped attributes.
In botany, two-lipped.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Formed with lips; in bot., applied to irregular gamopetalous flowers with an upper and under portion separated more or less by a hiatus or gap.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "labiate" comes from the Latin word "labiatus", which is the past participle of the verb "labi", meaning "to slip" or "to slide". This Latin word is derived from the noun "labium", which means "lip". "Labiate" in English refers to anything shaped like or resembling a lip, such as a labial consonant or a labiate flower.
