SAPROPHYTIC

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does saprophytic mean? 

• SAPROPHYTIC (adjective)
  The adjective SAPROPHYTIC has 2 senses:

1. obtaining food osmotically from dissolved organic material

2. (of some plants or fungi) feeding on dead or decaying organic matter

  Familiarity information: SAPROPHYTIC used as an adjective is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• SAPROPHYTIC (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Obtaining food osmotically from dissolved organic material

Classified under:

Relational adjectives (pertainyms)

Pertainym:

saprophyte (an organism that feeds on dead organic matter especially a fungus or bacterium)

Derivation:

saprophyte (an organism that feeds on dead organic matter especially a fungus or bacterium)

Sense 2

Meaning:

(of some plants or fungi) feeding on dead or decaying organic matter

Similar:

herbivorous (feeding only on plants)

Domain category:

flora; plant; plant life ((botany) a living organism lacking the power of locomotion)

Fungi; fungus kingdom; kingdom Fungi (the taxonomic kingdom including yeast, molds, smuts, mushrooms, and toadstools; distinct from the green plants)

Derivation:

saprophyte (an organism that feeds on dead organic matter especially a fungus or bacterium)

 Context examples 

This species is oxidase and indole negative, nonencapsulated, non spore forming, nonhemolytic, benzidine positive and saprophytic.

(Kocuria rosea, NCI Thesaurus)