thigmotropism

[ thig-mo-truh-piz-uhm ]

/ θɪgˈmɒ trəˌpɪz əm /

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noun Biology.

oriented growth of an organism in response to mechanical contact, as a plant tendril coiling around a string support.

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Origin of thigmotropism

First recorded in 1890–95; from Greek thígm(a) “a touch” + -o- + -tropism

OTHER WORDS FROM thigmotropism

thig·mo·trop·ic

[thig-muh-trop-ik, -troh-pik], /ˌθɪg məˈtrɒp ɪk, -ˈtroʊ pɪk/, adjective

Words nearby thigmotropism

thigh, thighbone, thigh-high, thigh-slapper, thigmotaxis, thigmotropism, thill, thimble, thimbleberry, thimbleful, thimblerig

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

British Dictionary definitions for thigmotropism

thigmotropism

/ (ˌθɪɡməʊˈtrəʊpɪzəm) /

noun

the directional growth of a plant, in response to the stimulus of direct contactAlso called: haptotropism, stereotropism

Derived forms of thigmotropism

thigmotropic, adjective

Word Origin for thigmotropism

C19: from Greek thigma touch + -tropism

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