polycystine, a. and n. Zool.
(pɒlɪˈsɪstaɪn)
[f. mod.L., Polycystīna (neut. pl.), f. Gr. πολυ-, poly- + κύστις bladder, cyst: see -ine2.]
a. adj. Belonging to the Polycystina, a group of Radiolarians (also called Nassellaria), characterized by a fenestrated siliceous shell or skeleton divided into several chambers. b. n. A radiolarian of this group.
| 1862 Wallich N. Atlantic Sea-bed 127 The Barbadoes and other Polycystine earths have a calcareous basis derived from the same source..as the pure calcareous deposits of the deep-sea bed. 1862 Mrs. Bury (title) Figures of Remarkable Forms of Polycystins, or allied Organisms, in the Barbados Chalk Deposit. 1883 H. Drummond Nat. Law in Spir. W. (ed. 2) 371 If the Polycystine urn be broken, no inorganic agency can build it up again. |