a. [In sense 1, f. SYMPODIUM; in sense 2, f. SYMPODIA: See -AL.]
1. Bot. Pertaining or relating to, of the nature of, or producing a sympodium.
1875. Bennett & Dyer, trans. Sachs Bot., 157. The Development of Dichotomous Systems may take place either in a forked or a sympodial manner.
1880. Bessey, Botany, 140. Sympodial dichotomy, in which one of the branches of each bifurcation develops more than the other.
1888. [see SYMPODE].
2. Anat. Affected with sympodia; having the lower extremities united.
1902. Brit. Med. Jrnl., 15 March, 671. His identification of the Siren with the sympodial fetus.
Hence Sympodially adv. Bot., in the manner of, or so as to produce, a sympodium.
1875. Bennett & Dyer, trans. Sachs Bot., 157. The dichotomous system is developed sympodially when at each bifurcation one branch developes more strongly than the other.
1884. Bower & Scott, De Barys Phaner., 279. A cauline bundle, the corners of which are composed of the sympodially united leaf-traces of a single bundle.