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The Collaborative International Dictionary
Polyp stem

Polyp \Pol"yp\, n. [L. polypus, Gr. ?, ?, literally, many-footed; poly`s many + ?, ?, foot: cf. F. polype. See Poly- and Foot, and cf. Polypode, Polypody, Poulp.] (Zo["o]l.)

  1. One of the feeding or nutritive zooids of a hydroid or coral.

  2. One of the Anthozoa.

  3. pl. Same as Anthozoa. See Anthozoa, Madreporaria, Hydroid. [Written also polype.]

    Fresh-water polyp, the hydra.

    Polyp stem (Zo["o]l.), that portion of the stem of a siphonophore which bears the polypites, or feeding zooids.