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Glite Dictionary
zygomorphous

zygomorphous

9.9
A flower that splits into two equal mirror halves with one straight cut down the middle
  • adjective
  • /ˌzaɪɡəˈmɔrfəs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : zigomórfico
  • The orchid's zygomorphous flowers can be split into mirror images along only one plane.

Examples

  • Unlike radially symmetrical daisies, snapdragons are zygomorphous in structure.

  • Many pea flowers are zygomorphous, which aids in specialized pollination by insects.

  • The zygomorphous structure of the orchid makes it unique.

  • Many flowers are zygomorphous, allowing for specialized pollination.

  • Many pea flowers are zygomorphous, which aids in specialized pollination by insects.

  • The orchid's zygomorphous flowers can be split into mirror images along only one plane.

  • Unlike radially symmetrical daisies, snapdragons are zygomorphous in structure.

Synonyms

zygomorphic
vszygomorphous
  • Specialized
9.9

A flower or shape that can be split into two equal halves in only one way

is the same meaning but appears as a different adjective form
bilaterally symmetrical
vszygomorphous
  • Specialized
7.4

Having two matching halves on each side of a middle line

focuses on symmetry that holds for only one specific longitudinal plane

How Symmetrical

actinomorphic
  • Specialized
9.9
zygomorphous
  • Specialized
9.9
asymmetric
11 6.1

Surface Forms

zygomorphous positive

Morphology

zygomorphous = zygomorph (opaque) = zygo + morph + morph + ous

Formed from technical combining forms ('zygo-' + 'morph') plus the suffix '-ous'; the Greek combining forms are not familiar to average learners, so the meaning is not readily inferable.

Etymology

Zygomorphous comes from Greek parts zygo- meaning 'yoke' and -morph meaning 'form', so it pictures two halves joined like a yoke. So a zygomorphous flower can be split in only one way into mirror-image left and right sides.