viviparous

American  

[vahy-vip-er-uhs, vi-] / vaɪˈvɪp ər əs, vɪ- /

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.

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viviparous British  

/ vɪˈvɪpərəs, ˌvɪvɪˈpærɪtɪ /

adjective

1. (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

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viviparous Scientific  

/ 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 ovoviviparous

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Other Word Forms

• nonviviparity
  noun
• nonviviparousness
  noun
• viviparism
  noun
• viviparity
  noun
• viviparousness
  noun
• nonviviparous
  adjective
• nonviviparously
  adverb
• viviparously
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of viviparous

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

Compare meaning

How does viviparous compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• oviparous vs. viviparous

Explanation

You didn't hatch from an egg, did you? That means you were born to a viviparous mother. The adjective viviparous describes something that gives birth to living things, rather than eggs. Breaking viviparous down into parts can help you understand its meaning. Vivi looks a lot like vivus, Latin for "alive." Parous comes from the Latin word parere, meaning "produce, bring forth, give birth to." To pronounce it correctly, say "VIE-vip-uh-rus." Then say "thank you" to your mother.

Example Sentences

In the mid-19th century, he turned his attention to mammals, documenting species ranging from the mountain lion to the flying squirrel in The Viviparous Quadrupeds of North America.

From Architectural Digest • Jan. 13, 2015

And though Audubon traveled widely as he worked on “The Viviparous Quadrupeds of North America,” he spent enough time at Minniesland to refer to it as “my dear home” in a journal entry for Sept.

From New York Times • May 3, 2011

The three Audubons' major work was a series of 150 "Viviparous Quadrupeds of North America," begun in 1842 and finished six years later.

From Time Magazine Archive

As well-versed Audubon fans know, the painter devoted his later years to an ambitious series entitled Viviparous Quadrupeds of North America.

From Time Magazine Archive

The great work of J. G. Audubon and the Rev. Dr. Bachman, upon the "Viviparous Quadrupeds of North America," is much praised by those persons in Europe whose praise is of most value.

From The International Magazine, Volume 2, No. 2, January, 1851 by Various