epigeous

American

[ep-i-jee-uhs] / ˌɛp ɪˈdʒi əs /

adjective

Botany.

growing on or close to the ground.
(of cotyledons) lifted above ground in germination.

epigeous British

/ ˌɛpɪˈdʒiːəs /

adjective

a variant of epigeal

"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

epigeous Scientific

/ ĕp′ə-jē′əs /

Relating to the germination of a seed in which the cotyledons emerge above the surface of the ground.
Compare hypogeous

Etymology

Origin of epigeous

First recorded in 1825–35; from Greek epígeios “on, of the world,” equivalent to epi- prefix meaning “on, over, near, etc.” + -geios ( ge-, stem of gê “earth“ + -ios adjective suffix); see epi-, -ous

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

It is a short, unattractive tree, with epigeous branches spreading out in a straggling manner.

From The Philippine Islands by Foreman, John

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023