a. Also 7 -untial. [ad. L. quincunciāl-is: see QUINCUNX and cf. F. quinconcial.] Arranged in the form of a quincunx or quincunxes; involving or characterized by this arrangement.
1601. Holland, Pliny, I. 512. For the order of setting trees … wee ought to follow the vsuall maner of checquer row, called Quincuntial.
1658. Sir T. Browne, Gard. Cyrus, i. 89. The Quincunciall, Lozenge or Net-work Plantations of the Ancients.
1705. T. Greenhill, in Phil. Trans., XXV. 2011. They were in number 22, some triangular, quadrangular, quincuncial, &c.
1870. Gillmore, trans. Figuier’s Reptiles & Birds, iii. 102. Scales on the back rounded, quincuncial, imbricate.
1885. Macm. Mag., Nov., 75/2. Cocoa-nut palms, planted in quincuncial fashion.
b. Bot. Of æstivation: Having five leaves so disposed that two are exterior and two interior, while the fifth is partly exterior and partly interior.
1830. Lindley, Nat. Syst. Bot., 63. Petals equal in number to the segments of the calyx, with a quincuncial æstivation.
1887. Jrnl. Educ., Dec., 520. The quincuncial or tristichous arrangement [of leaves].
Hence Quincuncially adv., in a quincuncial manner; in the form of a quincunx.
1658. Sir T. Browne, Gard. Cyrus, 153. The legges alone do move Quincuncially by single angles.
1842. Johnston, in Proc. Berw. Nat. Club, II. No. 10. 34. The tongue is very long … with the spinous teeth arranged quincuncially in five series.
