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

Finally, in the latest family, the Monograptidae, the branches are theoretically reduced to one, the polypary is uniserial throughout, and all the thecae are directed outwards and upwards.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 12, Slice 3 "Gordon, Lord George" to "Grasses" by Various

Captain Nemo's treasures were enhanced by some valuable exhibits from the delphinula snail species, to which I joined some pointed star coral, a sort of parasitic polypary that often attaches itself to seashells.

From Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea by Walter, F. P.

Amongst the Cœlenterates, the "Hydroid Zoophytes" are represented by a species of the encrusting genus Hydractinia, the horny polypary of which is so commonly found at the present day adhering to the exterior of shells.

From The Ancient Life History of the Earth A Comprehensive Outline of the Principles and Leading Facts of Palæontological Science by Nicholson, Henry Alleyne

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

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 3 of 4: N-R) by Various

The sponge is definitely not a plant, as some naturalists still believe, but an animal of the lowest order, a polypary inferior even to coral.

From Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea by Walter, F. P.