platy

¹

[ pley-tee ]

adjective

, plat·i·er, plat·i·est.

1. (of an igneous rock) split into thin, flat sheets, often resembling strata, as a result of uneven cooling.

platy

²

[ plat-ee ]

noun

, plural (especially collectively) plat·y, (especially referring to two or more kinds or species) plat·ys, plat·ies.

1. platyfish.

platy-

³

1. a combining form meaning “flat,” “broad,” used in the formation of compound words:

   platyhelminth.

platy-

¹

combining_form

1. indicating something flat

   platyhelminth

platy

²

/ ˈpleɪtɪ /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or designating rocks the constituents of which occur in flaky layers

   platy fracture

platy

³

/ ˈplætɪ /

noun

1. any of various small brightly coloured freshwater cyprinodont fishes of the Central American genus Xiphophorus, esp X. maculatus

Word History and Origins

Origin of platy¹

First recorded in 1525–35; plate ¹ + -y ¹

Origin of platy²

1930–35; by shortening of New Latin Platypoecilus genus name, equivalent to platy- platy- + -poecilus < Greek poikílos mottled

Origin of platy³

Combining form representing Greek platýs; flat ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of platy¹

from Greek platus flat

Origin of platy²

C19: from plate + -y ¹

Origin of platy³

C20: shortened from New Latin Platypoecilus former genus name, from platy- + -poecilus, from Greek poikilos spotted

Example Sentences

The platy parting is the more common, but the columnar or prismatic parting is well exhibited at several localities.

From Project Gutenberg

Strawberry Falls mark the front of a glacial step over a massive flow of platy andesite.

From Project Gutenberg

It weathers readily to platy-pseudomorphs of bastite which are soft and yield low polarization colours.

From Project Gutenberg