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saprophyte
[ sap-ruh-fahyt ]
noun
- any organism that lives on dead organic matter, as certain fungi and bacteria.
saprophyte
/ ˌsæprəʊˈfɪtɪk; ˈsæprəʊˌfaɪt /
noun
- any plant that lives and feeds on dead organic matter using mycorrhizal fungi associated with its roots; a saprotrophic plant
saprophyte
/ săp′rə-fīt′ /
- An organism, especially a fungus or bacterium, that lives on and gets its nourishment from dead organisms or decaying organic material. Saprophytes recycle organic material in the soil, breaking it down into in simpler compounds that can be taken up by other organisms.
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Derived Forms
- ˌsaproˈphytically, adverb
- saprophytic, adjective
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Other Words From
- sap·ro·phyt·ic [sap-r, uh, -, fit, -ik], adjective
- sapro·phyti·cal·ly adverb
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Word History and Origins
Origin of saprophyte1
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Example Sentences
It is a parasite or saprophyte, and entirely destitute of chlorophyll, being pure white throughout.
From Project Gutenberg
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