Definition of POLYP

polyp

Plural: polyps

Noun

  • a small vascular growth on the surface of a mucous membrane
  • one of two forms that coelenterates take (e.g. a hydra or coral): usually sedentary with a hollow cylindrical body usually with a ring of tentacles around the mouth
    • "in some species of coelenterate, polyps are a phase in the life cycle that alternates with a medusoid phase"
  • An abnormal growth protruding from a mucous membrane.
  • A cylindrical coelenterate, such as the hydra, having a mouth surrounded with tentacles.
  • A cylindrical coelenterate, such as the hydra, having a mouth surrounded with tentacles.
  • The sessile life stage of many cnidarians, whose free-swimming stage, if present, is the medusa.

Origin / Etymology

From Latin polypus (“a polyp, a polypus in the nose”), from Ancient Greek πολύπους (polúpous, from πολύς (polús, “many”) + πούς (poús, “foot”)). Doublet of polypus.

Synonyms

polypus

Scrabble Score: 12

polyp is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
polyp is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
polyp is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 14

polyp is a valid Words With Friends word