viviparous

[ vahy-vip-er-uhs, vi- ]

adjective

1. Zoology. bringing forth living young rather than eggs, as most mammals and some reptiles and fishes.
2. Botany. producing seeds that germinate on the plant.

viviparous

/ ˌvɪvɪˈpærɪtɪ; vɪˈvɪpərəs /

adjective

1. See ovoviviparous, oviparous
   (of animals) producing offspring that as embryos develop within and derive nourishment from the body of the female parent Compare oviparous ovoviviparous
2. (of plants) producing bulbils or young plants instead of flowers
3. (of seeds) germinating before separating from the parent plant

viviparous

/ vī-vĭp′ər-əs /

1. Giving birth to living young that develop within the mother's body rather than hatching from eggs. All mammals except the monotremes are viviparous.
2. Compare oviparous

Derived Forms

• viˈviparously, adverb
• viviparity, noun

Other Words From

• vi·vipa·rism noun
• viv·i·par·i·ty [viv-, uh, -, par, -i-tee, vahy-v, uh, -], vi·vipa·rous·ness noun
• vi·vipa·rous·ly adverb
• nonviv·i·pari·ty noun
• nonvi·vipa·rous adjective
• nonvi·vipa·rous·ly adverb
• nonvi·vipa·rous·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of viviparous¹

First recorded in 1640–50, viviparous is from the Latin word vīviparus bringing forth living young. See vivi-, -parous

Word History and Origins

Origin of viviparous¹

C17: from Latin vīviparus, from vīvus alive + parere to bring forth

Example Sentences

The female is viviparous, and produces vast numbers of embryos, which appear in the circulating blood.

From Project Gutenberg

The same kind of animal is then at one time of the year viviparous, and at another oviparous.

From Project Gutenberg

He had previously paid attention to the viviparous embryos of other Mangroves.

From Project Gutenberg

A few of the univalves are viviparous—that is, they produce their young alive; but the majority lay eggs.

From Project Gutenberg

The creature is ovo-viviparous; that is, the eggs are hatched while still within the body of the parent.

From Project Gutenberg