pyriform

American  

[pir-uh-fawrm] / ˈpɪr əˌfɔrm /

adjective

1. pear-shaped.

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pyriform British  

/ ˈpɪrɪˌfɔːm /

adjective

1. (esp of organs of the body) pear-shaped

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Other Word Forms

• pseudopyriform adjective
• subpyriform adjective

Etymology

Origin of pyriform

1695–1705; < New Latin pyriformis pear-shaped, equivalent to pyri- (for piri-; Latin pir ( um ) pear + -i- -i- ) + -formis -form

Example Sentences

The adhesive patch is made of parallel threads of a coil-shaped silk protein called pyriform silk; fibres made from this protein are highly elastic, like a rubber band.

From Nature

The pyriform silk is coated with a sticky protein solution.

From Nature

Creeping, simply pinnate; leaves concave, obtuse, decurved; lower lobe oblong-clavate, emarginate at base; underleaves oblong, flat, 2-cleft, the sinus obtuse; involucral leaves unequally 2-cleft, the dorsal segment oblong, pointed, nearly entire, the ventral subulate; perianth pyriform, 3-sided, obtusely keeled beneath.

From Project Gutenberg

Small species with a beakless, more or less round or pyriform perigynium, which is commonly glaucous; terminal spike androgynous or all staminate; stigmas mostly 2.—Sp.

From Project Gutenberg

Branches clustered; leaves loose, imbricate on the branches, round-ovate, entire; perianth pyriform, slightly compressed and repand, smooth, obscurely carinate beneath and gibbous toward the apex.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• trilateral