viviparous

[ vahy-vip-er-uh s, vi- ]
/ vaɪˈvɪp ər əs, vɪ- /

adjective

Zoology. bringing forth living young rather than eggs, as most mammals and some reptiles and fishes.
Botany. producing seeds that germinate on the plant.

Origin of viviparous

First recorded in 1640–50, viviparous is from the Latin word vīviparus bringing forth living young. See vivi-, -parous

OTHER WORDS FROM viviparous

Words nearby viviparous

viviani, vivianite, vivid, vivification, vivify, viviparous, vivisect, vivisection, vivisectionist, vivo, vivyan

Example sentences from the Web for viviparous

British Dictionary definitions for viviparous

viviparous
/ (vɪˈvɪpərəs) /

adjective

(of animals) producing offspring that as embryos develop within and derive nourishment from the body of the female parent Compare oviparous, ovoviviparous
(of plants) producing bulbils or young plants instead of flowers
(of seeds) germinating before separating from the parent plant

Derived forms of viviparous

viviparity (ˌvɪvɪˈpærɪtɪ), vivipary, viviparism or viviparousness, noun viviparously, adverb

Word Origin for viviparous

C17: from Latin vīviparus, from vīvus alive + parere to bring forth

Medical definitions for viviparous

viviparous
[ vī-vĭp′ər-əs, vĭ- ]

adj.

Giving birth to living offspring that develop within the mother's body as for most mammals.

Scientific definitions for viviparous

viviparous
[ vī-vĭp′ər-əs ]

Giving birth to living young that develop within the mother's body rather than hatching from eggs. All mammals except the monotremes are viviparous. Compare oviparous ovoviviparous.