pyriform

[ pir-uh-fawrm ]

adjective

1. pear-shaped.

pyriform

/ ˈpɪrɪˌfɔːm /

adjective

1. (esp of organs of the body) pear-shaped

Other Words From

• pseudo·pyri·form adjective
• sub·pyri·form adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of pyriform¹

1695–1705; < New Latin pyriformis pear-shaped, equivalent to pyri- (for piri-; Latin pir ( um ) pear + -i- -i- ) + -formis -form

Word History and Origins

Origin of pyriform¹

C18: from New Latin pyriformis, from pyri-, erroneously from Latin pirum pear + -formis -form

Example Sentences

The adhesive patch is made of parallel threads of a coil-shaped silk protein called pyriform silk; fibres made from this protein are highly elastic, like a rubber band.

From Nature

The pyriform silk is coated with a sticky protein solution.

From Nature

Seeds pyriform, with beak-like base.—Plants climbing by the coiling of naked-tipped tendrils.

From Project Gutenberg

Stems 2–3´ long, loosely creeping, with short thick runners; leaves large, ovate-oblong, lobed to near the middle, the lower lobe larger, lanceolate, obtuse; cells large, mostly hexagonal; underleaves linear, appressed; diœcious; involucral leaves cleft to the middle; perianth oval-cylindric, nearly entire; calyptra short, pyriform; capsule oblong; spores small, minutely tuberculate; antheridia globose, pedicelled, solitary in the axils.—In bogs, on mosses or partly floating; rare.

From Project Gutenberg

Involucral leaves 2 or 4, like the cauline; perianth pyriform, becoming cylindric, incurved, abruptly rounded at the summit, the minute orifice prominently ciliolate.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• trilateral