polypary

[ pol-uh-per-ee ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

, plural pol·y·par·ies.

polypary

/ ˌpɒlɪˈpɛərɪəm; ˈpɒlɪpərɪ /

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

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

C18: from New Latin polypārium; see polyp

The coral is therefore a real polypary, which resembles a tree stripped of its leaves.

Of the early development of the polypary in the Dendroidea little is known, but the more mature stages have been fully worked out.

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