corniculate corniculate corniculate, an anglicisation of the latin diminutives corniculata, corniculatum, and corniculatus, describes an object possessing hornlike extensions. the root is latin cornu = "horn". the term is used to describe the shape of the corniculate cartilages of the larynx. the horned puffin (fratercula corniculata) is named for its distinctive horn-like coloration. likewise oxalis corniculata (creeping woodsorrel) is named for its two erect capsules, which resemble little horns, and the bird's-foot trefoil lotus corniculatus and goat's horn mangrove aegiceras corniculatum are named for their horn-shaped fruits. larynx with corniculate cartilages indicated at center. the horned puffin fratercula corniculata