polyp
Meaning
A small simple usually benign growth that projects from a mucous membrane, as in the colon or nose.
A coelenterate, such as a sea anemone or coral, having a cylindrical body with a mouth surrounded by tentacles at one end.
Structure
Usage
The doctor discovered a small polyp during the routine colonoscopy.
Coral reefs are built by colonies of tiny polyps.
Nasal polyps can sometimes cause breathing difficulties.
Etymology
The word 'polyp' entered English in the 16th century via French 'polype', from Latin 'polypus', which was a direct borrowing from Greek 'polypous'. The Greek compound 'polypous' literally means 'many-footed', from 'polys' (many) and 'pous' (foot). This vivid anatomical description was originally applied to the octopus or cuttlefish, creatures noted for their multiple tentacles. By metaphorical extension, this sense of a many-limbed form was later applied in medicine to describe certain growths with a stalk, and in zoology to describe the sessile, tentacled stage of coelenterates, thus connecting the ancient literal image to modern specialized meanings.
Analysis
poly is from Greek 'polys', meaning 'many'. p is a shortened form from Greek 'pous' (genitive 'podos'), meaning 'foot'. The word combines these elements to denote an entity with many feet or foot-like parts.