polyvagal

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adjective

Of or relating to a theory that specifies two functionally distinct branches of the vagus, or tenth cranial nerve: a primitive branch eliciting immobilization behaviors (e.g. feigning death) and a more evolved branch linked to social communication and self-soothing behaviors.

Scrabble 18
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Meanings

adjectivepolyvagal (not comparable)
  1. not comparableOf or relating to a theory that specifies two functionally distinct branches of the vagus, or tenth cranial nerve: a primitive branch eliciting immobilization behaviors (e.g. feigning death) and a more evolved branch linked to social communication and self-soothing behaviors.

Origin

From poly- + vagal.

Full word history & related roots →
Cite this entry
APA

polyvagal. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/polyvagal

MLA

“polyvagal.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/polyvagal. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “polyvagal,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/polyvagal.

Source: polyvagal on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.