poly

Etymology 1

Shortening of various words.

noun

1. Polytechnic.
2. Polyethylene (polythene).
3. Polyurethane.
4. (chiefly computer graphics) Polygon.
   The most common poly budget in use for games at the time of this writing is between 5,000 and 10,000 tris. 2009, Andrew Paquette, Computer Graphics for Artists II: Environments and Characters
5. (uncountable) Polyester.
   a cotton-poly blend
6. (chiefly informal) Polyamory.
7. (chiefly informal) A polyamorous person.

adj

1. (chiefly informal) Polyamorous.
   Coordinate term: mono
   Whether the family is poly, L.G.B.T.Q. or another minority, such as a religious one, coming out is very much a personal decision. 2020-08-04, Cynthia McKelvey, “The Challenges of Polyamorous Parenting”, in The New York Times

verb

1. (transitive, intransitive, video games, roguelikes) To polymorph; to transform by magic.

Etymology 2

From Latin polium, the name of a plant, perhaps Teucrium polium.

noun

1. A whitish woolly plant (Teucrium polium) of the family Labiatae, found throughout the Mediterranean.