Polygon of forces(Mech.), a polygonal figure, the sides of which, taken successively, represent, in length and direction, several forces acting simultaneously upon one point, so that the side necessary to complete the figure represents the resultant of those forces. Cf. Parallelogram of forces, under Parallelogram.

Polygonaceous
(Pol`y*go*na"ceous) a. [See Polygonum.] (Bot.) Of or pertaining to a natural order of apetalous plants of which the knotweeds (species of Polygonum) are the type, and which includes also the docks the buckwheat, rhubarb, sea grape and several other genera.

Polygonal
(Po*lyg"o*nal) a. Having many angles.

Polygonal numbers, certain figurate numbers. See under Figurate.

Polygoneutic
(Pol`y*go*neu"tic) a. [Poly- + Gr. offspring.] (Zoöl.) Having two or more broods in a season.

Polygonometry
(Pol`y*go*nom"e*try) n. [Polygon + -metry.] The doctrine of polygons; an extension of some of the principles of trigonometry to the case of polygons.

Polygonous
(Po*lyg"o*nous) a. Polygonal.

Polygonum
(||Po*lyg"o*num) n. [NL., fr. Gr. a kind of plant; poly`s many + go`ny the knee, a joint of a plant. So called in allusion to the numerous joints.] (Bot.) A genus of plants embracing a large number of species, including bistort, knotweed, smartweed, etc.

Polygony
(Po*lyg"o*ny) n. (Bot.) Any plant of the genus Polygonum.

Polygordius
(||Pol`y*gor"di*us) n. [NL. See Poly-, and Gordius.] (Zoöl.) A genus of marine annelids, believed to be an ancient or ancestral type. It is remarkable for its simplicity of structure and want of parapodia. It is the type of the order Archiannelida, or Gymnotoma. See Loeven's larva.

Polygram
(Pol"y*gram) n. [Gr. marked with many stripes; poly`s many + a line.] A figure consisting of many lines. [R.] Barlow.

Polygraph
(Pol"y*graph) n. [Gr. writing much; poly`s much, many + to write: cf. F. polygraphe.]

1. An instrument for multiplying copies of a writing; a manifold writer; a copying machine.

2. In bibliography, a collection of different works, either by one or several authors. Brande & C.

Polygraphic
(Pol`y*graph"ic Pol`y*graph"ic*al) a. [Cf. F. polygraphique.] Pertaining to, or employed in, polygraphy; as, a polygraphic instrument.

2. Done with a polygraph; as, a polygraphic copy.

Polygraphy
(Po*lyg"ra*phy) n. [Gr. poly`s much + gra`fein to write: cf. F. polygraphie.]

1. Much writing; writing of many books. [Obs.] Fuller.

2. The art of writing in various ciphers, and of deciphering the same. [R.]

3. The art or practice of using a polygraph.

Polygrooved
(Pol"y*grooved`) a. [Poly- + groove.] Having many grooves; as, a polygrooved rifle or gun

Polygon
(Pol"y*gon) n. [Gr. poly`gwnos polygonal; poly`s many + gwni`a angle: cf. F. polygone.] (Geom.) A plane figure having many angles, and consequently many sides; esp., one whose perimeter consists of more than four sides; any figure having many angles.
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