English Dictionary |
SAPROPHYTIC
Pronunciation (US): | (GB): |
Dictionary entry overview: What does saprophytic mean?
• SAPROPHYTIC (adjective)
The adjective SAPROPHYTIC has 2 senses:
1. obtaining food osmotically from dissolved organic material
2. (of some plants or fungi) feeding on dead or decaying organic matter
Familiarity information: SAPROPHYTIC used as an adjective is rare.
Dictionary entry details
Sense 1
Meaning:
Obtaining food osmotically from dissolved organic material
Classified under:
Relational adjectives (pertainyms)
Pertainym:
saprophyte (an organism that feeds on dead organic matter especially a fungus or bacterium)
Derivation:
saprophyte (an organism that feeds on dead organic matter especially a fungus or bacterium)
Sense 2
Meaning:
(of some plants or fungi) feeding on dead or decaying organic matter
Similar:
herbivorous (feeding only on plants)
Domain category:
flora; plant; plant life ((botany) a living organism lacking the power of locomotion)
Fungi; fungus kingdom; kingdom Fungi (the taxonomic kingdom including yeast, molds, smuts, mushrooms, and toadstools; distinct from the green plants)
Derivation:
saprophyte (an organism that feeds on dead organic matter especially a fungus or bacterium)
Context examples
This species is oxidase and indole negative, nonencapsulated, non spore forming, nonhemolytic, benzidine positive and saprophytic.
(Kocuria rosea, NCI Thesaurus)
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