n. pl. sym·po·di·a (-dē-ə) An apparent axis that develops when growth occurs by means of lateral branches rather than continuing along the principal stem, often having a zigzag or irregular form. Also called pseudaxis. [New Latin : SYN- + Greek podion, base (from pous, pod-, foot; see ped- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots).] sym·podi·al (-dē-əl) adj. sym·podi·al·ly adv. |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.