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poly

1

[ pol-ee ]

noun

, plural pol·ies.
  1. a blend of poly and cotton.

  2. a fabric or garment made of polyester.


adjective

  1. made of or containing polyester:

    a poly swimsuit.

poly

2

[ pol-ee ]

adjective

, Informal.
  1. noting or relating to polyamory; polyamorous:

    They’re in a poly relationship.

  2. identifying as polyamorous:

    They’re not monogamous, they’re poly.

poly-

3
  1. a combining form with the meanings “much, many” and, in chemistry, “polymeric,” used in the formation of compound words:

    polyandrous; polyculture; polyethylene.

poly.

4

abbreviation for

  1. polytechnic.

poly

1

/ ˈpɒlɪ /

noun

  1. informal.
    short for polytechnic
“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


adjective

  1. informal.
    short for polyester
  2. informal.
    short for polythene
“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

poly-

2

combining_form

  1. more than one; many or much

    polyhedron

  2. having an excessive or abnormal number or amount

    polycythaemia

“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

poly–

  1. A prefix meaning “many,” as in polygon, a figure having many sides. In chemistry, it is used to form the names of polymers by being attached to the name of the base unit of which the polymer is made, as in polysaccharide, a polymer made of repeating simple sugars (monosaccharides).


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Word History and Origins

Origin of poly1

By shortening

Origin of poly2

First recorded in 1990–95; shortening of polyamorous ( def )

Origin of poly3

< Greek, combining form representing polýs; akin to Old English fela many. See plus
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Word History and Origins

Origin of poly1

from Greek polus much, many; related to Old English fela many
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Example Sentences

A 68-denier polyester fly, a tent body that includes 68- and 75-denier poly, bathtub floors, and an included ground tarp made our testers feel equally confident camping in rainy south Florida and on rocky ground in southern Utah.

Masks and gaiters made from a higher thread count, and made of a blend of cotton and poly, can provide better blockage of respiratory droplets.

In solo poly, individuals prefer autonomy and give all romantic partners equal standing.

Trying to manage a poly lifestyle during the pandemic had been exhausting.

Not only does it have a museum-worthy mid-century design, but its padded poly-cotton fabric makes it a joy to sit in.

Cal Poly Pomona student Heather DeCosta described it as “kind of just boxing us in at all four sides of the street.”

Merritt also litters the pages with his own favorite poly-lettered words.

Someone has to be out about it so people can see that, yes, you can be poly and healthy and happy and in love.

Poly, the model, said it was cold, but she truly loved the idea of being naked in nature.

New Glossy: Condé Nast has released its first issue of Allure Russia, featuring Russian model Natasha Poly on its cover.

Please take the dent out of my side, Poly, for I am more crippled than was the Soldier.

No one ever forgot the roly-poly pudding made without suet; synthetic rubber was its scientific name.

In the shape of pigs—fat, roly-poly and cute—they scampered off a little distance and sat down to think about their new condition.

He was a roly-poly little man; over seventy now but still healthy-looking, with an apple-cheeked, sunburned face.

Roast stuffed duckling with baked potatoes, string beans and brussels sprouts, jam roly-poly and coffee!

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