viviparous

viviparous Definition

vi·vipa·rous (vī vip′ər əs)

adjective

1. bearing or bringing forth living young, as most mammals and some other animals do
2. designating or of this type of reproduction
Bot.
1. germinating while still on the parent plant: said of certain seeds or bulbs
2. producing such seeds or bulbs; proliferous

Etymology: L viviparus < vivus, alive (see bio-) + parere, to produce (see -parous)

viviparous Related Forms

viv′i·par′·ity (viv′ə par′ə tē, vī′və-) noun or vi·vip′a·rous·ness vi·vip′a·rously adverb

viviparous Usage Examples

Modifies a noun

lizard: Of note there was adder, as well as viviparous lizard and slow worm.
blenny: The 2 pictures below show the Viviparous blenny, so called because the female gives birth to live young.
female: Viviparous adult females release L1 larvae into fresh water.

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