polypody

[ pol-ee-poh-dee ]

noun

, plural pol·y·po·dies.

1. any fern of the genus Polypodium, as P. vulgare, having creeping rootstocks, deeply pinnatifid evergreen fronds, and round, naked sori.

polypody

/ ˈpɒlɪˌpəʊdɪ /

noun

1. any of various ferns of the genus Polypodium, esp P. vulgare, having deeply divided leaves and round naked sori: family Polypodiaceae
2. any fern of the family Polypodiaceae, all having opaque leaves that are divided in most species

Word History and Origins

Origin of polypody¹

1400–50; late Middle English polypodye < Latin polypodion < Greek polypódion (> New Latin Polypodium ); poly-, -pod, -ium

Word History and Origins

Origin of polypody¹

C15: from Latin polypodium, from Greek, from poly- + pous foot

Example Sentences

Ribbonlike spikemoss and delicate polypodies crept neatly over rock faces.

From New York Times

I learned that the roots of the polypody do a great impression of licorice, and that Scotch pine is also called “Finnish rosemary.”

From Washington Post

The question whether these projections can be considered an indication of former polypody in insects has been raised.

From Project Gutenberg

Redpad pattered up this to its source; and about six feet from the ground, half hidden by polypody ferns, found a cleft in the limestone.

From Project Gutenberg

Two of the others, the polypody and Aspidium marginale, are evergreen also, but they are coarser in texture and of a less lively color.

From Project Gutenberg