body plan

Noun

body plan (plural body plans)

1. The morphological features common to a group of (typically, related) animals.
   • In a radiate body plan, as shown by a star-fish, the body is composed on the principle of converging rays, the antimeres; each of the latter is bilaterally symmetrical, with a distinction between dorsal and ventral, and contains a series of "organs"; and each of these organs has its minor parts.1902, Thomas H. Montgomery, Jr., “On Phylogenetic Classification”, in Contributions from the Zoological Laboratory of the University of Pennsylvania, page 212
   • Each phylum originated from a single founding species, is characterized by a unique body plan or Bauplan (Chapter 6), and had an independent evolutionary history for over 540 to 560 million years according to most current estimates.1998, Brian K. Hall, Evolutionary Developmental Biology, page 28
2. A model used in the construction of a boat or ship, composed to transverse sections perpendicular to the keel.
   • The middle line of the body plan, or fore perpendicular, is drawn square to the base, and the half siding of the stem and stern-post on each side of it.1869, Richard W. Meade, A Treatise on Naval Architecture and Shipbuilding, page 201
   • The sections of the body plan will end at the half siding of the keel, stem or stern-post as to breadth, and at the lower edge of the rabbet of the keel as to depth in each section.1872, P. R. Marett, Yachts and yacht building, page 6
3. A scheme of diet and exercise designed to maintain a healthy body.
   • The first day of your pure body plan should be a Friday.1987, Leslie Kenton, The Ten Day Pure Body Plan, page 14
   • It will be a diary, a journal, an adventure, a body plan, a creative space where you can experiment with different ways of being. A place to create some new body rules.2013, Abigail Bray, Elizabeth Reid Boyd, Body Talk: A power guide for girls