polyp

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   an abnormal growth projecting from a mucous membrane, such as in the nose or colon

   The surgeon removed a small polyp during the examination.

2. 2
   noun

   the usually attached cylindrical body form of animals such as hydras, sea anemones, and corals

   Each coral polyp extends its tentacles at night to capture food.

From Latin polypus, from Greek polypous, 'many-footed,' formed from polys, 'many,' + pous, 'foot.' The name first described tentacled aquatic animals and was later applied to similarly projecting bodily growths.

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