extremophile
/ (ɪkˈstrɛməˌfaɪl) /
noun
a microbe that lives in an environment once thought to be uninhabitable, for example in boiling or frozen water
Nearby words
extremis, extremism, extremist, extremitas, extremity, extremophile, extremum, extricable, extricate, extrinsic, extrinsic allergic alveolitis
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Science definitions for extremophile
extremophile
[ ĭk-strē′mə-fīl′ ]
An organism adapted to living in conditions of extreme temperature, pressure, or chemical concentration, as in highly acidic or salty environments. Many extremophiles are unicellular organisms known as archaea.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
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