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phytochemical

[ fahy-tuh-kem-i-kuhl ]

noun

  1. Also called phytonutrient. any of various bioactive chemical compounds found in plants, as antioxidants, considered to be beneficial to human health.


adjective

  1. of or relating to phytochemistry or phytochemicals.

phytochemical

/ ˌfaɪtəʊˈkɛmɪkəl /

adjective

  1. of or relating to phytochemistry or phytochemicals
“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


noun

  1. a chemical that occurrs naturally in a plant
“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

phytochemical

/ fī′tō-kĕmĭ-kəl /

  1. A plant-derived chemical that is not considered an essential nutrient in the human diet but is believed to have beneficial health effects.


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Other Words From

  • phyto·chemi·cal·ly adverb
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Word History and Origins

Origin of phytochemical1

First recorded in 1845–50; phyto- ( def ) + chemical ( def )
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Example Sentences

Although expensive, the payoff is impressive, particularly in terms of phytochemicals.

When plants grow explosively they tend to cut back on making phytochemicals.

So we end up with big fat high-yielding crops that look good on the outside but are poor in minerals and phytochemicals on the inside.

Modern agriculture also influences phytochemical levels in food.

It’s a type of phytochemical that protects plants from ultraviolet radiation.

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phytobiologyphytochemistry