Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

hydrophilous

American  
[hahy-drof-uh-luhs] / haɪˈdrɒf ə ləs /

adjective

Botany.
  1. pollinated by the agency of water.

  2. hydrophytic.


hydrophilous British  
/ haɪˈdrɒfɪləs /

adjective

  1. botany growing in or pollinated by water

"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

Other Word Forms

  • hydrophily noun

Etymology

Origin of hydrophilous

From the New Latin word hydrophilus, dating back to 1850–55. See hydro- 1, -philous

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.

The fountains, with their hydrophilous tribes, add to the charm; and many a beautiful Launaria aquatica had already buoyed himself up on his large cordate leaves on the surface of the tazza, and was filling his vegetable skin with water.

From Project Gutenberg

Hydrophilous: applied to species living in low, damp places.

From Project Gutenberg

Dissemination is effected by the agency of water, of air, of animals—and fruits and seeds are therefore grouped in respect of this as hydrophilous, anemophilous and zooidiophilous.

From Project Gutenberg