I. | ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷|fid.ik adjective
Etymology: saprophyte + -ic
: obtaining food by absorbing dissolved organic material : obtaining nourishment osmotically from the products of organic breakdown and decay
saprophytic plants and animals
— compare autotrophic , holophytic , holozoic ; see saprozoic
• sap·ro·phyt·i·cal·ly -ə̇k(ə)lē adverb
II. noun
( -s )
: a saprophytic organism