epigeal

or ep·i·ge·an

[ep-i-jee-uh l]

adjective

Entomology. living near the surface of the ground, as on low herbs or other surface vegetation.

Botany. epigeous.

Origin of epigeal

First recorded in 1860–65; epige(ous) + -al¹

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for epigeal

epigeal

epigean or epigeous

adjective

of or relating to seed germination in which the cotyledons appear above the ground because of the growth of the hypocotyl

living or growing on or close to the surface of the ground

Word Origin for epigeal

C19: from Greek epigeios of the earth, from epi- + gē earth

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012