Bot. [mod.L. (Linnæus), f. Gr. τρι-, TRI- + οἶκος house: cf. DIŒCIA, MONŒCIA.] The third order in the Linnæan class Polygamia, comprising plants having male, female, and hermaphrodite flowers on different individuals. Hence Triœcious a., Trioicous a., belonging to this order, or having the flowers thus distributed (whence Triœciously adv.); Triœcism, triœcious character or condition.
1760. J. Lee, Introd. Bot., II. xxvi. (1765), 138. *Trioecia, comprehending such Plants as have the Polygamy on three distinct Plants.
1860. Mayne, Expos. Lex., Triœcius, Bot. … *triœcious.
1866. Treas. Bot., Triœcious, Trioicus, having male flowers on one individual, female on another, and hermaphrodite on a third.
1891. Cent. Dict., *Triœciously … *Trioicous.
