saprophagous

[ sa-prof-uh-guhs ]

adjectiveBiology.

(of an organism) feeding on dead or decaying animal matter.

Origin of saprophagous

First recorded in 1810–20; sapro- + -phagous

Words Nearby saprophagous

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use saprophagous in a sentence

saprophagous, sap-rof′a-gus, adj. feeding on decaying matter.
Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 4 of 4: S-Z and supplements) | Various
Even many of the saprophagous insects will sip nectar from these flowers.
An Introduction to Entomology: Vol. IV (of 4) | William Kirby
Generally speaking, the carnivorous insects, whether thalerophagous or saprophagous, are of this description.
An Introduction to Entomology: Vol. IV (of 4) | William Kirby

British Dictionary definitions for saprophagous

saprophagous

/ (sæˈprɒfəɡəs) /

adjective

(of certain animals) feeding on dead or decaying organic matter

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

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