thermophile

[ thur-muh-fahyl, -fil ]

noun

1. a thermophilic organism.

thermophile

/ θɜːˈmɒfɪləs; ˈθɜːməʊˌfɪl; ˈθɜːməʊˌfaɪl /

noun

1. an organism, esp a bacterium or plant, that thrives under warm conditions

adjective

1. thriving under warm conditions

Derived Forms

• ˌthermoˈphilic, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of thermophile¹

First recorded in 1895–1900; thermo- + -phile