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viviparity

 - 8 dictionary results

vi⋅vip⋅a⋅rous

  [vahy-vip-er-uhs, vi-]
Use viviparity 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.
Cite This Source Link To viviparity
vi·vip·a·rous   (vī-vĭp'ər-əs, vĭ-)   
adj.  

  1. Zoology Giving birth to living offspring that develop within the mother's body. Most mammals and some other animals are viviparous.

  2. Botany

    1. Germinating or producing seeds that germinate before becoming detached from the parent plant, as in the mangrove.

    2. Producing bulbils or new plants rather than seed, as in the tiger lily.


[From Latin vīviparus : vīvus, alive; see gwei- in Indo-European roots + -parus, -parous.]
vi'vi·par'i·ty (vī'və-pār'ĭ-tē, vĭv'ə-) n., vi·vip'a·rous·ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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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·vi·par·i·ty
Pronunciation: "vI-v&-'par-&t-E, "viv-&-
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural -ties
: the quality or state of being viviparous

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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Encyclopedia

viviparity

retention and growth of the fertilized egg within the maternal body until the young animal, as a larva or newborn, is capable of independent existence. The growing embryo derives continuous nourishment from the mother, usually through a placenta or similar structure. This is the case in most mammals, many reptiles, and a few lower organisms. A more primitive condition, known as ovoviviparity and found in certain snakes, is the simple retention of the egg until it hatches. In this case the embryo derives food from the yolk present in the egg and is not dependent on the mother except for physical protection. Compare oviparity.

Learn more about viviparity with a free trial on Britannica.com.

Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
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