Polymorphy - Polysyntheticism
Prev Next
Polymorphy (?), n. Existence in many forms; polymorphism.
[ Webster]
Poly-mountain (?), n. (Bot.) (a) Same as , n. (b) The closely related Teucrium montanum, formerly called Polium montanum, a plant of Southern Europe. (c) The Bartsia alpina, a low purple-flowered herb of Europe.
[ Webster]
Polymyodæ (?), n. pl. [NL. See .] (Zoöl.) Same as .
[ Webster]
Polymyodous (?), a. (Zoöl.) Polymyoid.
[ Webster]
Polymyoid (?), a. [Poly- + Gr. �, �, muscle + -oid.] (Zoöl.) Having numerous vocal muscles; of or pertaining to the Polymyodæ.
[ Webster]
Polyneme (?), n. [Poly- + Gr. � thread.] (Zoöl.) Any one of numerous species of tropical food fishes of the family Polynemidæ. They have several slender filaments, often very long, below the pectoral fin. Some of them yield isinglass of good quality. Called also threadfish.
[ Webster]
Polynemoid (?), a. [Polyneme + -oid.] (Zoöl.) Of or pertaining to the polynemes, or the family Polynemidæ.
[ Webster]
Polynesian (?), a. Of or pertaining to Polynesia (the islands of the eastern and central Pacific), or to the Polynesians.
[ Webster]
Polynesians (?), n. pl.; sing. Polynesian. (Ethnol.) The race of men native in Polynesia.
[ Webster]
Polynia (?), n. [Russ. poluineia a warm place in water, i. e., a place which does not freeze.] The open sea supposed to surround the north pole. Kane.
[ Webster]
Polynomial (?), n. [Poly- + -nomial, as in monomial, binomial: cf. F. polynôme.] (Alg.) An expression composed of two or more terms, connected by the signs plus or minus; as, a2 - 2ab + b2.
[ Webster]
Polynomial, a. 1. Containing many names or terms; multinominal; as, the polynomial theorem.
[ Webster]
2. Consisting of two or more words; having names consisting of two or more words; as, a polynomial name; polynomial nomenclature.
[ Webster]
Polynuclear (?), a. [Poly- + nuclear.] (Biol.) Containing many nuclei.
[ Webster]
Polynucleolar (?), a. [Poly- + nucleolar.] (Biol.) Having more than one nucleolus.
[ Webster]
Polyommatous (?), a. [Poly- + Gr. �, �, the eye.] Having many eyes.
[ Webster]
Polyonomous (?), a. [Poly- + Gr. �, �, name: cf. Gr. �.] Having many names or titles; polyonymous. Sir W. Jones.
[ Webster]
Polyonomy (?), n. [Cf. Gr. � a multitude of names.] The use of a variety of names for the same object. G. S. Faber.
[ Webster]
Polyonym (?), n. 1. An object which has a variety of names.
[ Webster]
2. A polynomial name or term.
[ Webster]
Polyonymous, a. Polyonomous.
[ Webster]
{ Polyoptron (?), Polyoptrum (?), } n. [NL., from Gr. polys many + � seen.] (Opt.) A glass through which objects appear multiplied, but diminished in size. [R.]
[ Webster]
Polyorama (?), n. [Poly- + Gr. � a sight, view.] A view of many objects; also, a sort of panorama with dissolving views.
[ Webster]
Polyp (?), n. [L. polypus, Gr. �, �, literally, many-footed; polys many + �, �, foot: cf. F. polype. See and , and cf. , , .] (Zoöl.) (a) One of the feeding or nutritive zooids of a hydroid or coral. (b) One of the Anthozoa. (c) pl. Same as . See , , . [Written also polype.]
[ Webster]
Coloq. Fresh-water polyp , the hydra. -- Coloq. Polyp stem (Zoöl.), that portion of the stem of a siphonophore which bears the polypites, or feeding zooids.
[ Webster]
Polyparous (?), a. [Poly- + L. parere to produce.] Producing or bearing a great number; bringing forth many.
[ Webster]
Polypary (?), n.; pl. Polyparies (#). [See .] (Zoöl.) Same as .
[ Webster]
Polype (?), n. [F.] (Zoöl.) See .
[ Webster]
Polypean (?), a. (Zoöl.) Of or pertaining to a polyp, or polyps.
[ Webster]
Polyperythrin (?), n. [Polyp + Gr. � red.] (Physiol. Chem.) A coloring matter found in many simple Anthozoa and some hydroids.
[ Webster]
Polypetalous (?), a. [Poly- + petal.] (Bot.) Consisting of, or having, several or many separate petals; as, a polypetalous corolla, flower, or plant. Martyn.
[ Webster]
Polyphagous (?), a. [L. polyphagus, Gr. �; polys much, many + � to eat: cf. F. polyphage.] Eating, or subsisting on, many kinds of food; as, polyphagous animals.
[ Webster]
Polyphagy (?), n. The practice or faculty of subsisting on many kinds of food.
[ Webster]
Polypharmacy (?), n. [Poly- + Gr. � the using of medicine, fr. � medicine: cf. F. polypharmacie.] (Med.) (a) The act or practice of prescribing too many medicines. (b) A prescription made up of many medicines or ingredients. Dunglison.
[ Webster]
Polyphase (?), a. [Poly- + phase.] (Elec.) Having or producing two or more phases; multiphase; as, a polyphase machine, a machine producing two or more pressure waves of electro-motive force, differing in phase; a polyphase current.
[Webster Suppl.]
Polyphaser (?), n. (Elec.) A machine generating more than one pressure wave; a multiphaser.
[Webster Suppl.]
Polyphemus (?), n. [L. Polyphemus the one-eyed Cyclops who was blinded by Ulysses.] (Zoöl.) A very large American moth (Telea polyphemus) belonging to the Silkworm family (Bombycidæ). Its larva, which is very large, bright green, with silvery tubercles, and with oblique white stripes on the sides, feeds on the oak, chestnut, willow, cherry, apple, and other trees. It produces a large amount of strong silk. Called also American silkworm.
[ Webster]
Polyphone (?), n. A character or vocal sign representing more than one sound, as read, which is pronounced rēd or rĕd.
[ Webster]
Polyphonic (?), a. [Gr. �; polys many + � sound: cf. F. polyphone.] 1. Having a multiplicity of sounds.
[ Webster]
2. Characterized by polyphony; as, Assyrian polyphonic characters.
[ Webster]
3. (Mus.) Consisting of several tone series, or melodic parts, progressing simultaneously according to the laws of counterpoint; contrapuntal; as, a polyphonic composition; -- opposed to homophonic, or monodic.
[ Webster]
Polyphonism (?), n. Polyphony.
[ Webster]
Polyphonist (?), n. 1. A proficient in the art of multiplying sounds; a ventriloquist.
[ Webster]
2. (Mus.) A master of polyphony; a contrapuntist.
[ Webster]
Polyphonous (?), a. Same as .
[ Webster]
Polyphony (?), n. [Gr. �.] 1. Multiplicity of sounds, as in the reverberations of an echo.
[ Webster]
2. Plurality of sounds and articulations expressed by the same vocal sign.
[ Webster]
3. (Mus.) Composition in mutually related, equally important parts which share the melody among them; contrapuntal composition; -- opposed to homophony, in which the melody is given to one part only, the others filling out the harmony. See .
[ Webster]
Polyphore (?), n. [Poly- + Gr. ferein to bear.] (Bot.) A receptacle which bears many ovaries.
[ Webster]
{ Polyphotal (?), Polyphote (?) }, a. [Poly- + Gr. �, �, light.] (Elec.) Pertaining to or designating arc lamps so constructed that more than one can be used on a single circuit.
[Webster Suppl.]
Polyphyletic (?), a. [Poly- + Gr. � clan.] (Biol.) Pertaining to, or characterized by, descent from more than one root form, or from many different root forms; polygenetic; -- opposed to monophyletic.
[ Webster]
Polyphyllous (?), a. [Gr. �; polys many + � leaf.] (Bot.) Many-leaved; as, a polyphyllous calyx or perianth.
[ Webster]
Polypi (?), n. pl. [NL.] (Zoöl.) The Anthozoa.
[ Webster]
Polypide (?), n. (Zoöl.) One of the ordinary zooids of the Bryozoa. [Spellt also polypid.]
[ Webster]
Polypidom (?), n. [Polypus + L. domus house.] (Zoöl.) A coral, or corallum; also, one of the coral-like structure made by bryozoans and hydroids.
[ Webster]
Polypier (?), n. [F.] A polypidom.
[ Webster]
Polypifera (?), n. pl. [NL.] (Zoöl.) The Anthozoa.
[ Webster]
Polypiferous (?), a. [Polypus + -ferous.] (Zoöl.) Bearing polyps, or polypites.
[ Webster]
Polypiparous (?), a. [Polypus + L. parere to produce.] (Zoöl.) Producing polyps.
[ Webster]
Polypite (?), n. 1. (Zoöl.) (a) One of the feeding zooids, or polyps, of a coral, hydroid, or siphonophore; a hydranth. See Illust. of . (b) Sometimes, the manubrium of a hydroid medusa.
[ Webster]
2. (Paleon.) A fossil coral.
[ Webster]
Polyplacophora (?), n. pl. [NL. See , and .] (Zoöl.) See .
[ Webster]
Polyplastic (?), a. [Poly- + -plastic.] (Biol.) Assuming, or having the power of assuming, many forms; as, a polyplastic element which does not preserve its original shape.
[ Webster]
Polypode (?), n. [Cf. F. polypode. See .] (Bot.) A plant of the genus Polypodium; polypody. [Written also polypod.]
[ Webster]
Polypode, n. [Gr. �, �, the wood louse, milleped: cf. F. polypode. See .] (Zoöl.) An animal having many feet; a myriapod.
[ Webster]
Polypodium (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. �, dim. of �. See , and cf. 2d .] (Bot.) A genus of plants of the order Filices or ferns. The fructifications are in uncovered roundish points, called sori, scattered over the inferior surface of the frond or leaf. There are numerous species.
[ Webster]
Polypody (?), n. (Bot.) Any plant of the genus Polypodium.
[ Webster]
Polypoid (?), a. [Polyp + -oid.] 1. (Zoöl.) Like a polyp; having the nature of a polyp, but lacking the tentacles or other parts.
[ Webster]
2. (Med.) Resembling a polypus in appearance; having a character like that of a polypus.
[ Webster]
Polypomedusæ (?), n. pl. [NL. See , and .] (Zoöl.) Same as .
[ Webster]
Polyporous (?; 277), a. [Poly- + porous.] Having many pores. Wright.
[ Webster]
Polyporus (?), n.; pl. Polypori (#). [NL., fr. Gr. polys many + � a pore.] (Bot.) A genus of fungi having the under surface full of minute pores; also, any fungus of this genus.
[ Webster]
☞ Polyporus fomentarius was formerly dried and cut in slices for tinder, called amadou. Polyporus betulinus is common in America, and forms very large thick white semicircular excrescences on birch trees. Several species of Polyporous are considered edible.
[ Webster]
Polypous (?), a. [Cf. F. polypeux. See .] Of the nature of a polypus; having many feet or roots, like the polypus; affected with polypus.
[ Webster]
{ Polypragmatic (?), Polypragmatical (?), } a. [Poly- + pragmatic, -ical.] Overbusy; officious. [R.] Heywood.
[ Webster]
Polypragmaty (?), n. [Poly- + Gr. � business.] The state of being overbusy. [R.]
[ Webster]
Polyprotodonta (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. polys many + � first + �, �, tooth.] (Zoöl.) A division of marsupials in which there are more fore incisor teeth in each jaw.
[ Webster]
Polypteroidei (?), n. pl. [NL. See , and .] (Zoöl.) A suborder of existing ganoid fishes having numerous fins along the back. The bichir, or Polypterus, is the type. See Illust. under .
[ Webster]
Polypterus (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. polys many + � feather, wing.] (Zoöl.) An African genus of ganoid fishes including the bichir.
[ Webster]
Polyptoton (?), n. [L., fr. Gr. � having, or being in, many cases; polys many + � case.] (Rhet.) A figure by which a word is repeated in different forms, cases, numbers, genders, etc., as in Tennyson's line, -- “My own heart's heart, and ownest own, farewell.”
[ Webster]
Polypus (?), n.; pl. E. Polypuses (#), L. Polypi (#). [L. See .] 1. (Zoöl.) Same as .
[ Webster]
2. (Med.) A tumor, usually with a narrow base, somewhat resembling a pear, -- found in the nose, uterus, etc., and produced by hypertrophy of some portion of the mucous membrane.
[ Webster]
Polyrhizous (?), a. [Gr. �; polys many + � root.] (Bot.) Having numerous roots, or rootlets.
[ Webster]
Polyschematist (?), a. [Poly- + Gr. � form, manner.] Having, or existing in, many different forms or fashions; multiform.
[ Webster]
Polyscope (?), n. [Gr. � farseeing; polys much, many + � to view: cf. F. polyscope.] 1. (Opt.) A glass which makes a single object appear as many; a multiplying glass. Hutton.
[ Webster]
2. (Med.) An apparatus for affording a view of the different cavities of the body.
[ Webster]
Polysepalous (?), a. [Poly- + sepal.] (Bot.) Having the sepals separate from each other.
[ Webster]
Polysilicic (?), a. [Poly- + silicic.] (Chem.) Of or pertaining to compounds formed by the condensation of two or more molecules of silicic acid.
[ Webster]
Coloq. Polysilicic acid (Chem.), any one of a series of acids formed by the condensation of two or more molecules of silicic acid, with elimination of water.
[ Webster]
Polyspast (?), n. [L. polyspaston, fr. Gr. �, fr. � drawn by several cords; polys many + � to draw: cf. F. polyspaste.] (Surg.) A machine consisting of many pulleys; specifically, an apparatus formerly used for reducing luxations.
[ Webster]
Polyspermous (?), a. [Gr. �; polys many + � seed.] (Bot.) Containing many seeds; as, a polyspermous capsule or berry. Martyn.
[ Webster]
Polyspermy (?), n. (Biol.) Fullness of sperm, or seed; the passage of more than one spermatozoön into the vitellus in the impregnation of the ovum.
[ Webster]
Polysporous (?), a. [Poly- + spore.] (Bot.) Containing many spores.
[ Webster]
Polystomata (?), n. pl. [NL., from Gr. polys many + �, �, mouth.] (Zoöl.) A division of trematode worms having more two suckers. Called also Polystomea and Polystoma.
[ Webster]
Polystome (?), a. [Gr. � many-mouthed; polys + stoma mouth.] (Zoöl.) Having many mouths.
[ Webster]
Polystome, n. (Zoöl.) An animal having many mouths; -- applied to Protozoa.
[ Webster]
Polystyle (?), a. [Gr. � with many columns; polys many + � column: cf. F. polystyle.] (Arch.) Having many columns; -- said of a building, especially of an interior part or court; as, a polystyle hall. -- n. A polystyle hall or edifice.
[ Webster]
Polysulphide (?), n. [Poly- + sulphide.] (Chem.) A sulphide having more than one atom of sulphur in the molecule; -- contrasted with monosulphide.
[ Webster]
Polysulphuret (?), n. (Chem.) A polysulphide. [Obsoles.]
[ Webster]
{ Polysyllabic (?), Polysyllabical (?), } a. [Gr. �; polys many + � syllable: cf. F. polysyllabique.] Pertaining to a polysyllable; containing, or characterized by, polysyllables; consisting of more than three syllables.
[ Webster]
Polysyllabicism (?), n. Polysyllabism.
[ Webster]
Polysyllabicity (?), n. Polysyllabism.
[ Webster]
Polysyllabism (?), n. The quality or state of being polysyllabic.
[ Webster]
Polysyllable (?), n. [Poly- + syllable.] A word of many syllables, or consisting of more syllables than three; -- words of less than four syllables being called monosyllables, dissyllables, and trisyllables.
[ Webster]
Polysyndetic (?), a. Characterized by polysyndeton, or the multiplication of conjunctions. -- Polysyndetically (#), adv.
[ Webster]
Polysyndeton (?), n. [NL., from Gr. polys many + � bound together, fr. � to bind together; � with + � to bind.] (Rhet.) A figure by which the conjunction is often repeated, as in the sentence, “We have ships and men and money and stores.” Opposed to asyndeton.
[ Webster]
Polysynthesis (?), n. [Poly- + synthesis.] 1. The act or process of combining many separate elements into a whole.
[ Webster]
2. (Philol.) The formation of a word by the combination of several simple words, as in the aboriginal languages of America; agglutination. Latham.
[ Webster]
Polysynthetic (pŏlĭsĭnthĕtĭk), a. [Poly- + synthetic.] Characterized by polysynthesis; agglutinative.
[ Webster]
Coloq. Polysynthetic twinning (Min.), repeated twinning, like that of the triclinic feldspar, producing fine parallel bands in alternately reversed positions.
[ Webster]
Polysyntheticism (pŏlĭsĭnthĕtĭsĭz'm), n. Polysynthesis.
[ Webster]
Prev Next
Concept Explore Home
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z