I. ˈdiˌplȯid noun
( -s )
Etymology: dipl- + -oid
1. : an isometric crystalline form that has 24 similar quadrilateral faces arranged in pairs and that is a hemihedral form of the hexoctahedron — called also diplohedron
2.
[ diploid (II) ]
a. : a diploid cell
b. : an individual or generation characterized by the diploid chromosome number
II. adjective
Etymology: International Scientific Vocabulary dipl- + -oid; probably originally formed in German
: double or twofold in appearance or arrangement : having the basic chromosome number doubled
typical diploid somatic cells
: comprising twice the number of chromosomes present in typical gametes
the chromosome complement is diploid before reduction
— compare haploid , polyploid