polypetalous, a.
(pɒlɪˈpɛtələs)
[f. mod.L. polypetal-us (see prec.) + -ous.]
1. Bot. Literally, having many petals; but commonly used for: having the petals distinct or separate, not coherent or united. Also apopetalous, choripetalous, dialypetalous, eleutheropetalous. Opp. to monopetalous or gamopetalous.
| 1704 J. Harris Lex. Techn. I, Polypetalous Flower, is the Term in Botany for the Flower of a Plant which consists of more than six distinct Flower-leaves set round to form it; and which fall off singly. 1767 Ellis in Phil. Trans. LVII. 427 Pedunculated flowers, or fruit, with their polypetalous cups. 1881 Griffiths in Science Gossip No. 203. 248 The calyx is polysepalous and inferior; the corolla is polypetalous and hypogynous. |
2. nonce-use. Having many leaves, as a book.
| 1803 W. Taylor in Ann. Rev. I. 431 The polypetalous tomes of an encyclopædia. |