Lacking a cup-shaped structure or calyx; without a distinct cup-like form at the base of flowers or organisms.
From Greek 'a-' (without) and 'skyphos' (cup). Used in botanical and zoological terminology. The prefix 'a-' negates the presence of a cuplike structure called a scyphus.
Biologists needed words to describe what organisms don't have, not just what they do—'ascyphous' is a negative descriptor that shows scientific naming sometimes works by describing absences rather than presences!
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.