scyphistoma

[sahy-fis-tuh-muh]

noun, plural scy·phis·to·mae, [sahy-fis-tuh-mee] /saɪˈfɪs təˌmi/ scy·phis·to·mas.

a stage in the life cycle of a jellyfish or other scyphozoan when it is fixed in place and reproduces asexually to produce free-swimming medusas.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for scyphistoma

Historical Examples of scyphistoma

Strobila, stro-bī′la, n. a discomedusan at the stage succeeding the scyphistoma: a segmented tapeworm.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 4 of 4: S-Z and supplements)
Various
The original terminal ring of tentacles of the Scyphistoma gradually atrophies.
The Works of Francis Maitland Balfour, Volume II (of 4)
Francis Maitland Balfour
With the above changes the so-called Hydra tuba or Scyphistoma form is reached (vide fig. 85).
The Works of Francis Maitland Balfour, Volume II (of 4)
Francis Maitland Balfour

British Dictionary definitions for scyphistoma

scyphistoma

noun plural -mae (-ˌmiː) or -mas

a sessile hydra-like individual representing the polyp stage of scyphozoans. It produces forms which become free-swimming jellyfish

Word Origin for scyphistoma

C19: from Greek skuphos cup + stoma

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