thigmotropism

[thig-mo-truh-piz-uhm]

noun

Biology.

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

thigmotropism

/ ˌθɪɡməʊˈtrəʊpɪzəm /

noun

1. Also called: haptotropism.  stereotropism. the directional growth of a plant, in response to the stimulus of direct contact

Other Word Forms

• thigmotropic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of thigmotropism¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of thigmotropism¹

C19: from Greek thigma touch + _-tropism

Example Sentences

Several kinds of tropisms are recognized, such as phototropism or heliotropism, reaction to light; thermotropism, reaction to heat; electrotropism or galvanotropism, to electric current; geotropism, to gravity; chemotropism, to a chemical; rheotropism, to current; thigmotropism or stereotropism, to contact; and chromotropism, to color.

Read more on Project Gutenberg