polypody

Etymology

From Anglo-Norman polypodie and its source, Late Latin polypodium.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈpɒlɪpəʊdi/

Noun

polypody (plural polypodies)

1. (botany) Any of many ferns of the genus Polypodium, especially common polypody.
   • 1621, Democritus Junior [pseudonym; Robert Burton], The Anatomy of Melancholy, Oxford: Printed by Iohn Lichfield and Iames Short, for Henry Cripps, OCLC 216894069; The Anatomy of Melancholy: […], 2nd corrected and augmented edition, Oxford: Printed by John Lichfield and James Short, for Henry Cripps, 1624, OCLC 54573970, (please specify |partition=1, 2, or 3):
     , II.4.2.ii:

     Polypodie and epithyme are, without all exceptions, gentle purgers of melancholy […].

   • 1653, Nicholas Culpeper, The English Physician Enlarged, Folio Society 2007, p. 226:

     If the humour be otherwise choose your Polypody accordingly.