polypary

[ pol-uh-per-ee ]

noun

, plural pol·y·par·ies.

1. the common supporting structure of a colony of polyps, as corals.

polypary

/ ˌpɒlɪˈpɛərɪəm; ˈpɒlɪpərɪ /

noun

1. the common base and connecting tissue of a colony of coelenterate polyps, esp coral

Other Words From

• pol·y·par·i·an [pol-, uh, -, pair, -ee-, uh, n], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of polypary¹

From the New Latin word polypārium, dating back to 1740–50. See polyp, -ary

Word History and Origins

Origin of polypary¹

C18: from New Latin polypārium; see polyp

Example Sentences

Polyzoā′rium, a compound polyzoan; Polyzō′ary, the polypary or polypidom of a polyzoan.—adjs.

From Project Gutenberg

Of the early development of the polypary in the Dendroidea little is known, but the more mature stages have been fully worked out.

From Project Gutenberg

In the genus Phyllograptus the branches have become reduced 366 to four and these coalesce by their dorsal walls along the line of the nema, and the sicula becomes embedded in the base of the polypary.

From Project Gutenberg

In the Dendroidea, as a rule, the polypary is non-symmetrical in shape and tree-like or shrub-like in habit, with numerous branches irregularly disposed, and with a distinct stem-like or short basal portion ending below in root-like fibres or in a membranous disk or sheet of attachment.

From Project Gutenberg

From this first theca originates a second, opening in the same direction, and from the second a third, and soon, in a continuous linear series until the polypary is complete.

From Project Gutenberg