poly
n. C / Un. a type of plastic material used to make many everyday items like bags, clothes, or floor coatings. It is a short way of saying words like polyester or polyethylene.
n. a shortened form for various polymers, most commonly polyester or polyethylene, depending on the industrial or domestic context. Informal in register; frequently used in manufacturing, textiles, and construction.
The new jacket is made from a warm poly blend.
The contractor recommended a high-gloss poly finish to protect the new hardwood floors from scratches.
While natural fibers are often preferred for breathability, modern poly blends offer superior durability and moisture-wicking properties for high-performance athletic wear.
Shortening of various words.
From Latin polium, the name of a plant, perhaps Teucrium polium.
Uncountable when referring to the material in general; countable when referring to specific types or varieties of the polymer.