polytypic

English

Etymology

From Ancient Greek πολῠ- (polŭ-) + τῠπῐκός (tŭpĭkós). By surface analysis, poly- +‎ type +‎ -ic.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /pɒlɪˈtɪpɪk/

Adjective

polytypic (comparative more polytypic, superlative most polytypic)

1. (taxonomy) having several different taxa of the next lower rank, especially having several subspecies
2. (conservation biology) of a habitat, not dominated by a single species
3. (material science) of a substance, able to exist in more than one crystal structure, these differing in one dimension
4. (microbiology) of a cell sample, containing several cell types
5. (immunology) of an antibody response, involving several antibodies
6. exhibiting polytypism

Synonyms

• polytypical

Derived terms

• polytypy

Further reading

• James A. H. Murray et al., editors (1884–1928), “Polytypic, a.”, in A New English Dictionary on Historical Principles (Oxford English Dictionary), volume VII (O–P), London: Clarendon Press, →OCLC, page 1098.