Polystoma 
Polystoma (po-lis'to-m8), . [NL., < (Jr. iro/r- 
nriH/iii-. having many mouths, < n-o/if, many, + 
i. nioutli.] Same as Polystomtim. 
Polystomata (pol-i-sto'ma-ta), n.pl. [NL., 
neut. pi. of polystomatus : see polyxtomatonx. } 
1 . The sponges or 1'orifera, as metazoic organ- 
isiiiscoiiti-i-iti-d with allot her .Wf/.ro, or J/ono- 
x/omata: so called from their many mouths or 
oseula. 2. In Saville Kent's system of classi- 
fication, one of four sections of Protozoa, con- 
sisting of the suctorial or tentaculiferous ani- 
malcules, or the acinetiform infusoriaus, having 
many tentacular organs, each of which serves 
us a' tubular sucking-mouth: contrasted with 
Kuxtnmuta, Discostomata, and Pantostomata. 
The group is oftener called Tentaculifera. 
polystomatous (pol-i-stom'a-tus), a. [< NL. 
IHilyxlomatiis (cf. Gr. iro'/.voropof), < Or. 5ro?.if, 
many, + arofta, mouth.] Having many mouths 
or apertures for the ingestion of food ; specifi- 
cally, of or pertaining to the Polystomata. 
polystome (pol'i-stom), . [= F. polystome, < 
Ur. mAioTo/iof, having many mouths, < jro?.i>f, 
many, + oroua, mouth.] An animal with many 
mouths, (a) A member of the Potystemata, in either 
sense, as a sponge or an acinetiform infuaorian. (b) A tre- 
matoiii of the suborder Polystamea; a polystome-fluke. 
Polystomea (pol-i-sto'me-S), n. pi. [NL., < 
Or. ffo/itioro/uof, having many mouths : see poly- 
stome.} A suborderof Trematoidea, containing 
trematoid worms with two small lateral suckers 
on the head and several posterior suckers, with 
which a pair of large chitiuous hooks are often 
found. Some species are elongated, and present a kind 
of segmentation. They are for the most part ectopara- 
sltic. The term is contrasted with Dittomta. 
Polystomeae (pol-i-sto'ine-e), n. pi. Same as 
Poliftttoniea. 
polystome-fluke (pol'i-stom-flsk), n. A fluke or 
trematoid of the family Potystomidie. 
polystomia, . Plural of polystomiiim. 
Polystomidae (pol-i-stom'i-de), n. pi. [NL., < 
Polystomum + -idee.] A family of polystoma- 
tous Trematoidea, typified by the genus Polysto- 
mum, having several posterior suckers, usually 
paired and disposed in two lateral rows, and re- 
inforced by an armature of chitiuous hooks. 
polystomium (pol-i-sto'mi-um), n. ; pi. polysto- 
iitia (-ft). [NL.: see polystome.'] One of the 
numerous fine pores at the ends of the ramifi- 
cations of the oral arms in some acalephs, re- 
placing the original mouth, which has become 
closed by the gradual union of the arms. 
Polystomum (po-lis'to-mum), n. [NL. : see 
polystome.'] The typical genus of Polystomitlae, 
having an oral but no lateral sucker on the an- 
terior end, four eyes, and at the posterior end 
six suckers, two median hooks, and sixteen 
small hooks. The species are parasitic, as P. inUyer- 
rimwn ill the bladder of frogs, and /'. oceUatum in the 
pharynx of turtles. A fluke formerly called P. santjui- 
niciila, now Uexathyridium vtnarum, is found In venous 
blood. Also Puiyftoma. 
polystyle (pol'i-stll), a. [= P. polystyle = It. 
polistilo, < Or. TroXiioTiviof, with many columns, < 
To/rf, many,+ ori'Xoc, a column : seesfy/c 2 .] In 
arch., having, characterized by, or supported 
by many columns; surrounded by several rows 
of columns, as some Moorish or Arabic courts. 
polystylous (pol-i-sti'lus), a. [< Or. vo^varv'^, 
with many columns, < xoAif, many, + irriXof, 
column (style). Cf. polystyle."] In hot., bearing 
many styles. Gray. 
polysyllabic (pol'i-si-lab'ik), a. [= F. poly- 
syllaoiijue ; as polygyllab-le + -if.} Of or per- 
taining ton polysyllable ; consisting of many 
syllables, specifically of more than three. 
polysyllabical (pol'i-si-lab'i-kal), a. [< poly- 
syilabir + -/.] Same as polysyllabic. 
polysyllabicism(pol*i-si-lab ; j-8izm),n. [(poly- 
syllabic + -ism.] Polysyllabic character; the 
quality of having or of being composed of many 
(specifically more than three) syllables. 
polysyllabism (pol-i-sil'a-bizm), 11. [< poly- 
syllao-lf + -ism.} Same as polysyllabicixm. 
polysyllable (pol-i-sil'a-bl), [= F. polygyl- 
// = Sp. polifGobO = Pg. polysyllubo = It. 
/n>lixillnl>it, a polysyllable, < Or. n-oAtwW./ta/jtof, 
polysyllabic, < Gr. iroliv, many, + av&ajiii, syl- 
lable: Bee syllable.'] A word of several sylla- 
bles ; usually, a word of four or more syllables, 
words of one syllable being calk* il MOMMBoMw, 
those of two dix.xyllabtes, and those of three tri- 
x ill 1 1 ihles. 
polysyllogism (jJol-i-sH'o-jizm), n. [< Gr. 
-II/IT, many, 4- avAAo'/iofiof, syllogism: see gyllo- 
nixin.] A combination of syllogisms; a chain of 
reasoningManifest polysyllogism. See manifnt. 
4610 
polysyllogistic (pol-i-sil-o-jis'tik), a. [< poly- 
.ti/llini-ixiii + -ixtic (cf. xylloyixtic).} Consisting 
of a chain of syllogisms. 
polysymmetrical (pol'i-si-met'ri-kal), n. [As 
/ii>h/xi/>ittctry + -ic-al."] Divisible into exactly 
similar halves by more than one plane, as is the 
case with all regular flowers. Actinomorphoun 
is a synonym. 
polysymmetrically (pol'i-si-met'ri-kal-i), adr. 
In a polysymmetrical manner; in accordance 
with polysymmetry. 
polysymmetry (pol-i-sim'et-ri), n. [< Gr. mMf, 
many, + avftftcrpia, symmetry: see symmetry.] 
Susceptibility of division into like halves by 
more than one plane ; the state of being poly- 
symmetrical. 
polysyndeton (pol-i-sin'de-ton), n. [NL., = 
F. polysyndete = Sp. polisindeton = Pg. polysyn- 
deton, < NL. polysyndeton, < Gr. 'voMaivocrm, 
prop. neut. of *iroAvai>vticros, joined in various 
ways,< 7ro/,i'f, many, 4- avvierof, bound together: 
see asyndeton.'] In rhet., a figure consisting in 
the use of a number of conjunctions in close 
succession; introduction of all the members 
of a series of coordinate words or clauses with 
conjunctions: opposed to asyndeton. Asyndeton 
produces an accelerated, polysyndeton a retarded move- 
ment in the sentence. Asyndeton gives an effect of accu- 
mulation and energy, polysyndeton demands special and 
deliberate attention to each separate word and clause in- 
troduced. I: i .in. viil. 35, 38, 39 is an example. 
polysynthesis (pol-i-sm'the-sis), n. [NL., < 
Gr. TO/I'?, many, + oi'vOeoie, composition: see 
synthesis.} Composition of many elements; spe- 
cifically, in pliilol., composition from an abnor- 
mal number and variety of elements. 
polysynthetic (pol*i-sin-thet'ik), a. [= F. 
polyxynthetii/iie, < Gr. iro/.vaivdcToc, much-com- 
pounded, < mj/i'f, much, + oi'iticTof, compound- 
ed: see synthetic.] 1. In philol., compounded 
of a number and variety of elements beyond 
the usual norm; exhibiting excessive intricacy 
of synthetic structure, as by the incorporation 
of objective and adverbial elements in the verb 
forms; incapsulated : as, a polysynthetic word ; 
characterized by such compounds : as, a poly- 
syiitlictic language : first applied by Du Ponceau 
to the class of languages spoken by the Indian 
tribes of America. Also incorporatire and (rare- 
ly) mei/tisyntlietic. 2. In mineral., compounded 
of a number of thin lamella? in twinning posi- 
tion to each other, or characterized by this kind 
of structure: ns,&poly.sy>itlietictvr'm. Seeticiii. 
Felspar, very fresh and clear, sometimes with distinct 
c twin lines. Nature, XXX. 12. 
polysynthetical (pol'i-sin-thet'i-kal), a. [< 
poiysyntJtetic + -a I.] Same as polysytithetic. 
polysynthetically (pori-sin-thet'i-kal-i), adr. 
In a polyaynthetic manner; by polysynthesis. 
polysyntheticism (pol*i-sin-thet'i-sizm), n. [< 
polysyiitlictic + -ism.} The character of being 
polysynthetic. 
polysynthetism (pol-i-sin 'the-tizm ), w. [< poly- 
syntltet-ic + -ism.} Polysynthetic structure ; 
polysyiitheticism. 
If we cannot prove the American languages related ex- 
cept by the characteristic of pofaj/u/Arfunn. 
Whitney, Life and Growth of Lang., p. 268. 
polytechnic (pol-i-tek'nik), a. and n. [= P. 
polytechnique = Sp. politecnico = Pg. polytech- 
nico = It. politechnico, < Or. irot.vrcxvot, skilled 
in many arts, < iro/.i'f, many, + rexvii, art: see 
technic.} I. . Concerning or comprehending 
many arts: noting specifically educational in- 
stitutions in which instruction is given in many 
arts, more particularly with reference to their 
practical application. 
U. i. 1. An exhibition of objects belonging 
to the industrial arts and manufactures. 2. 
An educational institution, especially for in- 
struction in technical subjects. A number of 
such institutions are in successful operation in 
London. 
polytechnical (pol-i-tek'ni-kal), . [<polytech- 
iiir + -at.} 1. Same as polytechnic. 2. Prac- 
tising many arts. 
The trade guilds of the great poluteehnical cities of In- 
dia are not, however, always exactly coincident with the 
sectarian or ethnical caste of a particular class of artisans. 
Sir (Jeorge C. H. Birdvnod, Indian Arts, I. 188. 
polytechnics (pol-i-tek'uiks), . [PI. of poly- 
iriiniic (see -ten).] The science of the mechan- 
ical arts. 
polyterpene (pol-i-ter'pen), . [< poly(meric) 
+ terpene.} In chem., any one of a class of 
substances polymeric with the terpenes. The 
class Includes, among other substances, caoutchouc, gutta- 
percha, balata, dammar-resin, and the fossil resins flch- 
telite, hartltr, etc. See polymeric and trrpene. 
polytocous 
Polythalamacea (pol-i-thal-a-ma'se-a), . pi. 
[NL., < Gr. n-o/.i'f, many, + 6d/M/u>(, chamber, + 
-acea.} An order of cephalopods whose shell 
is polythalamous, as the ammonites, belem- 
nites, nautili, and related forms. 
polythalamaceous (pol-i-thal-a-ma'shius), a. 
Same as polythalamous, 2: said of the Polythu- 
Itinutcea. 
Polythalamia (pol'i-tha-la'mi-jl), . pi. [NL., 
< Gr. iroXt'f, many, + OaAafios, chamber.] A di- 
vision of reticulate amo3biform protozoans, 
whose test is many-chambered or polythala- 
111 in n : opposed to Monotlialamia. The name is 
less exactly used as a synonym of Foraminifera. 
polythalamian (pol'i-tha-la'mi-an), a. [< Poly- 
thalamia + -an. ~\ Many-chambered; multiloc- 
ular; having many compartments: especially, 
noting Foraminifera of such character, in dis- 
tinction from monothalamian. See cut under 
Foraminifera. 
polythalamic (pol-i-thara-mik), a. [< Poly- 
thalamia + -ic.J Having many chamberlets, 
as a foraminifer; tbalamophorous; of or per- 
taining to the Polythalamia. 
polythalamous (pol-i-thal'a-nms), a. [= F. 
polytltalame, < Gfr. iroAt'f, many, + Oafat/iof, 
chamber.] 1. In en torn., having several or many 
chambers : applied to the nests of insects, and 
to galls, when they contain many cells or com- 
partments, each destined for or inhabited by a 
single larva. 2. In conch., having many com- 
partments: multilocular. 
polythecial (pol-i-the'si-al), a. [< polythecium 
+ -al.] Forming a polythecium; pertaining to 
a compound zoothecium; compositely zoOthe- 
cial. 
polythecium (pol-i-the'si-um), .; pi. polythe- 
cia (-a). [NL., < Gr. 5ro?.i'f , many, + m/icr/, a box.] 
A compound or aggregate zoSthecium, consist- 
ing of several conjoined loricee, found in vari- 
ous infusorians. W. 8. Kent, Infusoria, p. 329. 
polytheism (pol'i-the-izm), . [= F. polythe- 
ittmc = Sp. politeismo = Pg. politheitinio = It. 
politeismo, s NL. "polytlieismux, < Gr. iro/.iffcoc, 
of or belonging to many gods (dofa m>).Meo(, 
polytheism): see polytheoiis, and cf. theism.} 
Belief in more gods than one ; the doctrine of a 
plurality of divine beings superior to man, and 
having part in the government of the world. 
The first author of polytheism, Orpheus, did plainly as- 
sert one supreme God. Stittinyfleft. 
polytheist (pol'i-the-ist), n. [= F. polytlieintc 
= an.politcista = fe.politheista = It. politeista, 
< NL. "polytheista, ?Gr. 7ro?,(<*fof, of or belong- 
ing to many gods: see polytheism and theist.} 
One who believes in or maintains polytheism, 
or the doctrine of a plurality of gods. 
The emperor [Hadrian] indeed himself, though u ;/,,/ 
'/../-'. was very little of an idolater till the conquest by the 
Arabs. S. Sharpt, Hurt. Egypt, xv. $ 21. 
polytheistic (pol*i-the-is'tik), a. [= It. poli- 
teixtico; as polytheist + -ic.] 1. Pertaining to, 
of the nature of, or characterized by polythe- 
ism : as, polytheistic belief or worship. 
In all poliitheixtif. religions among savages, as well as in 
the early ages of heathen antiquity, it is the irregular 
events of nature only that are ascribed to the agency and 
power of the gods. Adam Smith, Hist Astron., ill. 
2. Believing in a plurality of gods : as, a. poly- 
theistic writer. 
polytheistical (pol'i-the-is'ti-kal), a. [< poly- 
theistic + -al.} Of a polytheistic character. 
polytheistically (poFi-the-is'ti-kal-i), arfr. In 
the manner of a polytheist or of polytheism ; 
as regards polytheism. 
polytheize (pol'i-the-iz), v. i.; pret. and pp. 
polythcized, pfs.polythetftng. [=lf.polytheiser; 
as polythe-ism + -ize.} To adhere to, advocate, 
or inculcate the doctrine of polytheism ; believe 
in a plurality of gods. Milman. 
polytheoust, ". [< Gr. vol.Weof, of or belonging 
to many gods, < Tro/UV, many, + fcor, god: see 
theism. Cf. atheous.} Characterized oy polj*- 
theism; polytheistical. 
Heav'n most abhor'd Potylhevut piety. 
J. Beaumont, Psyche, xxl. 68. 
polythoret, . [Origin obscure.] See the quo- 
tation. 
I went to that famous physitian Sir Fr. Prnjcan, who 
shew'd me his laboratorie. . . . He plaied to in' 1 liKru j~r 
on the palythore, an Instrument having something of the 
harp, lute, theorbo, A r. It was a swectt* instrument, l>y 
none known in England, or descrih'd by any author, nor 
us d but by llii- -.kilfull and learned doctor. 
Evelyn, Diary, Aug. 9, 1661. 
polytOCOUS (po-lit'o-kus), a. [< Gr. mi/i 
bnnging forth many young ones. < xniii; niiiny. 
f, < TIKTCIV, Tmciv, bring forth.] 1. Pro- 
