meristic

[ muh-ris-tik ]

/ məˈrɪs tɪk /

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adjective Biology.

of, relating to, or divided into segments or somites.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

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Origin of meristic

First recorded in 1890–95, meristic is from the Greek word meristikós of division. See meristem, -ic

Words nearby meristic

merino, Merionethshire, merisis, meristem, meristematic, meristic, merit, merit badge, meritocracy, meritocrat, meritocratic

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use meristic in a sentence

Lastly, it may be recalled that in sterility we are almost certainly considering a meristic phenomenon.
Evolution in Modern Thought|Ernst Haeckel
Meristic law is that of balance and distribution: it defines what is and is not to be possessed.
The Crown of Wild Olive|John Ruskin
Law is either archic (of direction), meristic (of division), or critic (of judgment).
Unto This Last and Other Essays on Political Economy|John Ruskin

British Dictionary definitions for meristic

meristic

/ (məˈrɪstɪk) /

adjective biology

of or relating to the number of organs or parts in an animal or plant bodymeristic variation

segmentedmeristic worms

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012