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co·or·di·nate

(kō-ôrdn-ĭt, -āt′)

1. Mathematics Any of a set of two or more numbers used to determine the position of a point, line, curve, or plane in a space of a given dimension with respect to a system of lines or other fixed references.

2. coordinates Informal Directions: Give me some coordinates so I can find my way.

3. coordinates A set of articles, as of clothing or luggage, designed to match or complement one other, as in style or color.

adj.

a. Of equal importance, rank, or degree: jobs with coordinate responsibilities.

b. Grammar Having equal syntactic status; not subordinate: coordinate phrases.

2. Mathematics Of or based on a system of coordinates.

3. Of or relating to a university in which men and women are taught by the same faculty but in single-sex classes or on single-sex campuses.

v. (-āt′) co·or·di·nat·ed, co·or·di·nat·ing, co·or·di·nates

v.tr.

1. To cause to work or function in a common action or effort: coordinating the moving parts of a machine.

2. To make harmonious; harmonize: coordinate the colors of a design.

3. Grammar To link (syntactic units) at an equal level.

v.intr.

1. To work or function together harmoniously: a nursing staff that coordinates smoothly.

2. To form a harmonious combination; match: shoes that coordinate with the rest of the outfit.

[CO- + ORDINATE.]

co·ordi·nate·ly (-ĭt-lē) adv.

co·ordi·nate·ness (-ĭt-nĭs) n.

co·ordi·na′tive adj.

co·ordi·na′tor n.

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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