polypetalous
|pol-y-pet-a-lous|
🇺🇸
/ˌpɑːliˈpɛtələs/
🇬🇧
/ˌpɒlɪˈpɛtələs/
many separate petals
Etymology
'polypetalous' originates from New Latin, specifically the word 'polypetalis', where 'poly-' meant 'many' and 'petalon' meant 'leaf' or 'petal'.
'polypetalous' changed from Neo-Latin 'polypetalis' used in botanical Latin and eventually became the modern English adjective 'polypetalous' through scientific usage.
Initially, it meant 'having many petals (separate petals)', and over time it has retained that specialized botanical meaning 'having many separate petals'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
having many separate (free) petals; petals not fused together (used especially in botany).
The polypetalous flower had a crown of distinct petals rather than a fused corolla.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/12/13 14:36