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  • poly
    poly
    noun
    polyester.
  • poly-
    poly-
    a combining form with the meanings “much, many” and, in chemistry, “polymeric,” used in the formation of compound words.
  • poly.
    poly.
    abbreviation
    polytechnic.
  • poly–
    poly–
    A prefix meaning “many,” as in polygon, a figure having many sides. In chemistry, it is used to form the names of polymers by being attached to the name of the base unit of which the polymer is made, as in polysaccharide, a polymer made of repeating simple sugars (monosaccharides).

poly

1 American  
[pol-ee] / ˈpɒl i /

noun

polies plural

  1. Informal. polyester.

    a blend of poly and cotton.

  2. a fabric or garment made of polyester.

adjective

  1. made of or containing polyester.

    a poly swimsuit.
poly 2 American  
[pol-ee] / ˈpɒl i /

adjective

Informal.

  1. noting or relating to polyamory; polyamorous.

    They’re in a poly relationship.

  2. identifying as polyamorous.

    They’re not monogamous, they’re poly.
poly- 3 American  

  1. a combining form with the meanings “much, many” and, in chemistry, “polymeric,” used in the formation of compound words.

    polyandrous; polyculture; polyethylene.
poly. 4 American  

abbreviation

  1. polytechnic.

poly 1 British  
/ ˈpɒlɪ /

noun

  1. informal short for polytechnic

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

adjective

  1. informal short for polyester

  2. informal short for polythene

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
poly- 2 British  

combining form

  1. more than one; many or much

    polyhedron

  2. having an excessive or abnormal number or amount

    polycythaemia
"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
poly– Scientific  

  1. A prefix meaning “many,” as in polygon, a figure having many sides. In chemistry, it is used to form the names of polymers by being attached to the name of the base unit of which the polymer is made, as in polysaccharide, a polymer made of repeating simple sugars (monosaccharides).

Usage

What does poly- mean? Poly- is a combining form with multiple meanings. In many terms, it is used like a prefix meaning “much, many.” In terms from chemistry, it denotes "polymeric," meaning "of or relating to a