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Glite Dictionary
polyzoa

polyzoa

9.9
Small water animals that live in colonies in seas or lakes
  • noun
  • /ˌpɒlɪˈzoʊə/
  • Specialized
translation icon : polizoos
  • The reef was teeming with polyzoa, forming intricate patterns on the rocks.

Examples

  • Scientists collected samples of polyzoa from various freshwater lakes for their study.

  • Many polyzoa species help purify water by filtering out microscopic particles.

  • The polyzoa thrive in both freshwater and marine environments.

  • Many polyzoa species are important for aquatic ecosystems.

  • Many polyzoa species help purify water by filtering out microscopic particles.

  • Scientists collected samples of polyzoa from various freshwater lakes for their study.

  • The polyzoa thrive in both freshwater and marine environments.

Synonyms

Bryozoa
vspolyzoa
  • Specialized
1 9.9

Small water animals that live in colonies attached to rocks or plants and filter food from water

is a general group label rather than the formal taxonomic name
phylum Bryozoa
vspolyzoa
  • Specialized
9.9

A group of small water animals that live together in colonies in seas and rivers

focuses on colonies made of many small zooids rather than classification

Surface Forms

polyzoa singular
polyzoans plural

Morphology

polyzoa = poly + zoa

The prefix poly- suggests 'many', but the base zoa is a learned classical form, so the meaning is not readily recoverable for an average B1 learner.

Etymology

The word polyzoa comes from Greek parts poly- meaning 'many' and zoa meaning 'animals', and the second part is the same root you see in zoo and zoology. So polyzoa is like a tiny 'zoo' of many animals living together in groups called colonies, which is why the word means groups of small water animals made of many zooids.