To imbricate means to overlap in a regular pattern.

In petrology

Petrology

Petrology is the branch of geology that studies rocks, and the conditions in which rocks form....

, the term "imbricated" is used in describing clastic sediment

Sediment

Sediment is naturally occurring material that is broken down by processes of weathering and erosion, and is subsequently transported by the action of fluids such as wind, water, or ice, and/or by the force of gravity acting on the particle itself....

s that are laid down with a preferential orientation of the composing grains. This is most often applied to conglomerate

Conglomerate (geology)

A conglomerate is a rock consisting of individual clasts within a finer-grained matrix that have become cemented together. Conglomerates are sedimentary rocks consisting of rounded fragments and are thus differentiated from breccias, which consist of angular clasts...

s and gravels. It is generally related to paleoflow direction. Wadell found the long axis aligned with paleocurrent

Paleocurrent

A paleocurrent or paleocurrent indicator is a geological feature that helps one determine the direction of flowing water in the geologic past...

, and dipping basinward in glacial sediments, whereas deltaic

River delta

A delta is a landform that is formed at the mouth of a river where that river flows into an ocean, sea, estuary, lake, reservoir, flat arid area, or another river. Deltas are formed from the deposition of the sediment carried by the river as the flow leaves the mouth of the river...

 gravels may be oppositely inclined.

The music theory

Music theory

Music theory is the study of how music works. It examines the language and notation of music. It seeks to identify patterns and structures in composers' techniques across or within genres, styles, or historical periods...

scholar Mark Butler also uses the term in textural and metrical analysis of electronic dance music.