-phyte

American  

1. variant of phyto- as final element of compound words.

   lithophyte.

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-phyte British  

combining form

1. indicating a plant of a specified type or habitat

   lithophyte

   thallophyte

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Usage

What does -phyte mean? The combining form -phyte is used like a suffix meaning “plant.” It is often used in scientific terms, especially in biology and botany. The combining form -phyte comes from the Greek phytón, meaning “plant.” The Greek phytón also helps form the word neóphytos, source of the word neophyte, a “beginner” or “novice.” Neophyte literally means “newly planted” and originally referred to a newly baptized Christian. The corresponding form of -phyte combined to the beginning of words is phyto-. Want to know more? Read our Words That Use phyto- article.

Other Word Forms

• -phytic combining form

Etymology

Origin of -phyte

from Greek phuton plant