-gamy

-gamy
\\gəmē, -mi\ noun combining form (-es)
Etymology: Middle English -gamie, from Late Latin -gamia, from Greek — more at bigamy
1.

exogamy

b. : union for propagation or reproduction

allogamy

2. [New Latin -gamia (as in Cryptogamia), from Greek -gamia -gamy (marriage)]
a. : possession of (such) reproductive organs

cleistogamy

b. : possession of (such) a mode of fertilization

porogamy

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a combining form with the meanings "marriage," "union," "fertilization, pollination," of the kind specified by the initial element: exogamy; plastogamy; allogamy; also forming nouns corresponding to adjectives ending in -gamous: heterogamy.
[comb. form repr. Gk -gamía act of marrying]

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-gamy n combining form
1. Denoting: marriage, or supposed marriage, to a stated number of spouses
2. A stated means of fertilization or reproduction
• • •
Main Entry: ↑-gam-

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gam|y «GAY mee», adjective, -gam|i|er, gam|i|est.
1. having a strong taste or smell like the flesh of wild animals or birds, especially when kept until slightly tainted.
2. abounding in game.
3. brave; plucky; mettlesome: »

a gamy little fellow.

4. Slang. somewhat improper; racy: »

This Was Burlesque…is comic in an earthy kind of way, but it is also awfully gamy (New Yorker).

 Also, gamey.
–gam´i|ly, adverb.
–gam´i|ness, noun.
combining form.
1. marriage: »

Polygamy = plural marriage.

2. the condition of being joined together: »

Allogamy = the condition of being joined in cross-fertilization.

╂[< Greek -gamíā < gámos marriage]

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-gamy, suffix
f. Gr. γάµος marriage + -y3, appended to Gr. stems to form ns. with the senses: (a) ‘marriage (of the type specified)’, as in endogamy, exogamy, hypergamy; (b) ‘(such a) means of fertilization or reproduction’, as in allogamy, cleistogamy, porogamy. Cf. bigamy, monogamy, polygamy.

Useful english dictionary. 2012.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • gamy — gam y, a. 1. (Cookery) Having the flavor of game, esp. of game kept uncooked till near the condition of tainting; high flavored. [1913 Webster] 2. (Sporting) Showing an unyielding spirit to the last; plucky; furnishing sport; as, a gamy trout.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • -gamy — gamy. См. гамия. (Источник: «Англо русский толковый словарь генетических терминов». Арефьев В.А., Лисовенко Л.А., Москва: Изд во ВНИРО, 1995 г.) …   Молекулярная биология и генетика. Толковый словарь.

  • -gamy — element meaning marriage; fertilization, from Gk. gamia, from gamos marriage (see GAMETE (Cf. gamete)) …   Etymology dictionary

  • gamy — see GAMEY (Cf. gamey) …   Etymology dictionary

  • gamy — [adj] ill smelling; corrupt fetid, foul, malodorous, pungent, rancid, rank, reeking, seamy, sordid, strong flavored, strong smelling, strong tasting, tainted; concept 598 …   New thesaurus

  • gamy — (also gamey) ► ADJECTIVE (gamier, gamiest) 1) (of meat) having the strong flavour or smell of game when it is high. 2) chiefly N. Amer. racy or risqué. DERIVATIVES gamily adverb gaminess noun …   English terms dictionary

  • -gamy — [gə mē] [Gr gamia < gamos: see GAMO ] combining form forming nouns marriage, sexual union [polygamy] …   English World dictionary

  • gamy — [gām′ē] adj. gamier, gamiest 1. having a strong, tangy flavor like that of cooked game 2. strong in smell or taste; slightly tainted 3. plucky; game 4. a) risqué or racy b) salacious, coarse, or crude …   English World dictionary

  • gamy — or gamey adjective (gamier; est) Date: 1844 1. brave, plucky used especially of animals 2. a. having the flavor of game; especially having the flavor of game near tainting b. smelly 3. a …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • gamy — gamily, adv. /gay mee/, adj., gamier, gamiest. 1. having the tangy flavor or odor of game: I like the gamy taste of venison. 2. having the flavor or odor of game or other meat kept uncooked until slightly tainted: The roast was still edible but… …   Universalium

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