adj.
Pronunciation: ˌ o ̇ -t ə - ' tr ō -fik
Function: adjective
Etymology: probably from German autotroph, from Greek autotrophos supplying one's own food, from aut- + trephein to nourish
Date: 1893
1 : requiring only carbon dioxide or carbonates as a source of carbon and a simple inorganic nitrogen compound for metabolic synthesis of organic molecules (as glucose) < autotrophic plants> ― compare HETEROTROPHIC
2 : not requiring a specified exogenous factor for normal metabolism
– au · to · tro · phi · cal · ly \ -fi-k( ə -)l ē \ adverb
– au · tot · ro · phy \ o ̇ - ' tä-tr ə -f ē \ noun