Poly

Poly can have multiple meanings:

• As a prefix, often meaning more than one or many (e.g., polyvalent - capable of many valences)
• As a feminine given name (Poly, also spelled Polly). Sometimes also used as a nickname for surnames such as "Polyblank"

Poly is also commonly used as an abbreviation for various words and phrases including:

Science and technology

• Polyethylene, polyurethane and polyester, all forms of plastic polymers
• Polysilicon, a state of silicon used as a gate material in MOSFET transistors and CMOS microchips
• Polystyrene, aromatic polymer made from the aromatic monomer styrene
• Poly-A, a step in the transcription of DNA to RNA in which multiple adenosine nucleosides are added to the 3' end of the mRNA sequence.
• Polymorphism, polymorphism describes multiple possible states for a single property
• Polyphenol, a class of biological molecules
• Polyspheric, a shape composed of more than one sphere, a term used by Chrysler to identify their hemi-derived but lower cost V8 engines built 1955-67
• Polygraph, or "lie detector" (particularly in Defense & Intelligence fields)

Mathematics and logic

• Polygon, especially in relation to 3D graphics as used in terms such as high-poly
• Polynomial, a type of mathematical function

Universities

• Polytechnic Institute of NYU, often called Poly by its students and faculty.

Other

• Polyamory, polygamy, and certain other forms of nonmonogamy beginning in poly
• Polyclinic, a clinic where a wide range of health care services (including diagnostics) can be obtained without the need for an overnight stay
• Polytechnic educational institutions
• Polymath, a person well educated in a wide variety of subjects or fields
• Polydactyly, having extra digits in hands or feet
• Polymita, Business Process Management Suite
• Poly Technologies, Chinese company
• China Poly Group, Chinese business group
• Polynesian, as in "Being a Poly" by Jonah Takalua
• Polyglot, a person who uses many languages
• Polyphasic sleep, the practice of sleeping multiple times in a 24-hour period
• Polytheism is the belief in and/or worship of multiple deities