A.Word.A.Day --zygomorphic

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Today's Word

zygomorphic

PRONUNCIATION:

(zy-guh-MOR-fik)

MEANING:

adjective: Having a single plane of symmetry: divisible into two mirror-image halves along only one axis.

ETYMOLOGY:

From Greek zygo- (yoke) + -morphic (shaped). Earliest documented use: 1875. The term contrasts with actinomorphic structures (from actino- meaning ray), which have radial symmetry.

USAGE:

“The leathery leaves of Rhododendrons swaying to and fro in the gentle summer breeze, their large, showy, slightly zygomorphic flowers in beautiful bloom.”
Michael Condon; The Chronicles of Throldor; Lulu; 2010.

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:

The tools of conquest do not necessarily come with bombs, and explosions, and fallout. There are weapons that are simply thoughts, attitudes, prejudices, to be found only in the minds of men. For the record, prejudices can kill and suspicion can destroy; and a thoughtless, frightened search for a scapegoat has a fallout all of its own for the children, and the children yet unborn. -Rod Serling, writer of the science fiction TV series "The Twilight Zone" (25 Dec 1924-1975)

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