polypite
(ˈpɒlɪpaɪt)
[f. L. polyp-us polyp + -ite1.]
1. Palæont. A fossil polyp. (Webster 1828.)
2. Zool. An individual or zooid of a compound polyp, esp. of a cœlenterate. (Cf. polyp 1 c, polypide.) Also sometimes applied to a free polyp, as a Hydra.
| 1867 Murchison Siluria App. (ed. 4) 539 Common cœnosarc continuous with the polypites. 1875 C. C. Blake Zool. 372 Hydrozoa..A branched, composite hydrosoma, carrying many polypites. 1877 Huxley Anat. Inv. Anim. iii. 133 A hydranth or polypite attached to the centre of a gelatinous contractile swimming disk. |