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viviparism

 - 5 dictionary results

vi⋅vip⋅a⋅rous

  [vahy-vip-er-uhs, vi-]
Use viviparism in a Sentence
–adjective
1. Zoology. bringing forth living young rather than eggs, as most mammals and some reptiles and fishes.
2. Botany. producing seeds that germinate on the plant.
Origin:
1640–50; < L vīviparus bringing forth living young. See vivi-, -parous

Related forms:
vi⋅vip⋅a⋅rism, noun
viv⋅i⋅par⋅i⋅ty  [viv-uh-par-i-tee, vahy-vuh-] , vi⋅vip⋅a⋅rous⋅ness, noun
vi⋅vip⋅a⋅rous⋅ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Word Origin & History

viviparous 
1646, from L.L. viviparus "bringing forth alive," from L. vivus "alive, living" + parere "bring forth, bear" (see pare).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: vi·vip·a·rous
Pronunciation: vI-'vip-(&-)r&s, v&-
Function: adjective
: producing living young instead of eggsfrom within the body in the manner of nearly all mammals, many reptiles, and a few fishes —compare LARVIPAROUS, OVIPAROUS, OVOVIVIPAROUS —vi·vip·a·rous·ly adverb
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

viviparous vi·vip·a·rous (vī-vĭp'ər-əs, vĭ-)
adj.
Giving birth to living offspring that develop within the mother's body as for most mammals.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Science Dictionary
viviparous   (vī-vĭp'ər-əs)  Pronunciation Key 
Giving birth to living young that develop within the mother's body rather than hatching from eggs. All mammals except the monotremes are viviparous. Compare oviparous, ovoviviparous.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
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