actinomorphic

[ ak-tin-oh-mawr-fik, ak-tuh-noh- ]

adjective

1. Biology. having radial symmetry.
2. Botany. (of certain flowers, as the buttercup) divisible vertically into similar halves by each of a number of planes passing through the axis.

actinomorphic

/ ˌæktɪnəʊˈmɔːfɪk /

adjective

1. botany (esp of a flower) having radial symmetry, as buttercups See also zygomorphic

actinomorphic

/ ăk′tə-nō-môr′fĭk /

1. Relating to a flower that can be divided into equal halves along any diameter; radially symmetrical. The flowers of the rose and tulip are actinomorphic.
2. Compare zygomorphic

Derived Forms

• ˈactinoˌmorphy, noun

Other Words From

• ac·tin·o·mor·phy noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of actinomorphic¹

First recorded in 1895–1900; actino- + -morphic

Example Sentences

In contrast with this are polysymmetrical or actinomorphic flowers, which have a radial symmetry and can be divided by several planes into several exactly similar portions; such are all regular, symmetrical flowers.

From Project Gutenberg