3. (Biol.)
Defn: To have characters in common with two genera or families, so as to form a connecting link between them; to interosculate. See Osculant.
OSCULATION
Os`cu*la"tion, n. Etym: [L. osculatio a kissing: cf. F. osculation.]
1. The act of kissing; a kiss.
2. (Geom.)
Defn: The contact of one curve with another, when the number of consecutive points of the latter through which the former passes suffices for the complete determination of the former curve. Brande & C.
OSCULATORY
Os"cu*la*to*ry, a.
1. Of or pertaining to kissing; kissing. "The osculatory ceremony." Thackeray.
2. (Geom.)
Defn: Pertaining to, or having the properties of, an osculatrix; capable of osculation; as, a circle may be osculatory with a curve, at a given point. Osculatory circle. (Geom.) See Osculating circle of a curve, under Circle. — Osculatory plane (to a curve of double curvature), a plane which passes through three successive points of the curve. — Osculatory sphere (to a line of double curvature), a sphere passing through four consecutive points of the curve.