adj.
Pronunciation: ˌ he-t ə -r ə - ' tr ō -fik
Function: adjective
Date: 1893
: requiring complex organic compounds of nitrogen and carbon (as that obtained from plant or animal matter) for metabolic synthesis ― compare AUTOTROPHIC
– het · ero · tro · phi · cal · ly \ -fi-k( ə -)l ē \ adverb
– het · ero · tro · phy \ ˌ he-t ə - ' rä-tr ə -f ē , ' he-t ə -r ə - ˌ tr ō - \ noun