polypary

American  

[pol-uh-per-ee] / ˈpɒl əˌpɛr i /

noun

plural

polyparies

1. the common supporting structure of a colony of polyps, as corals.

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polypary British  

/ ˌpɒlɪˈpɛərɪəm, ˈpɒlɪpərɪ /

noun

1. the common base and connecting tissue of a colony of coelenterate polyps, esp coral

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Other Word Forms

• polyparian adjective

Etymology

Origin of polypary

From the New Latin word polypārium, dating back to 1740–50. See polyp, -ary

Example Sentences

Polyzoā′rium, a compound polyzoan; Polyzō′ary, the polypary or polypidom of a polyzoan.—adjs.

From Project Gutenberg

From this first theca originates a second, opening in the same direction, and from the second a third, and soon, in a continuous linear series until the polypary is complete.

From Project Gutenberg

The sicula itself ceases to grow soon after the earliest theca have been developed; it remains permanently attached to the dorsal wall of the polypary, of which it forms the proximal end, its apex rarely reaching beyond the third or fourth theca.

From Project Gutenberg

In all these families the polypary originates as in Monograptus from a nema-bearing sicula, which invariably opens downwards and gives off only a single bud, such branching as may take place occurring at subsequent stages in the growth of the polypary.

From Project Gutenberg

In some species young examples have been met with in which the nema ends above in a small membranous disk, which has been interpreted as an organ of attachment to the underside of floating bodies, probably sea weeds, from which the young polypary hung suspended.

From Project Gutenberg