1. the soft body of a bryozoan that contains the feeding and digestive organs
Usage: zoology

Examples

• The polypide can retract into the protective cystid when threatened.
• Each bryozoan colony consists of numerous polypides housed in individual chambers.
• The polypide extends its tentacles to filter food particles from the water.
• Scientists studied the anatomy of the polypide under a microscope.
• When conditions are unfavorable, the polypide may degenerate and later regenerate.