polyp

noun

1. a small vascular growth on the surface of a mucous membrane

Similar word(s): polypus

Definition categories: state, growth

2. one of two forms that coelenterates take (e.g. a hydra or coral): usually sedentary with a hollow cylindrical body usually with a ring of tentacles around the mouth

- in some species of coelenterate, polyps are a phase in the life cycle that alternates with a medusoid phase

Definition categories: animal, cnidarian, coelenterate