zə̇ˈräfələs adjective
or xe·ro·phile ˈzirəˌfīl ; also xe·ro·phil·ic |zirə|filik ; or xe·ro·phil ˈ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ˌfil
Etymology: xerophilous, xerophilic from xer- + -philous or -philic; xerophile, xerophil International Scientific Vocabulary xer- + -phil, adjective comb. form
: thriving in or tolerant or characteristic of an enviroment that is poor in available moisture
a xerophile vegetation
several xerophilous snails
: adapted to life in the presence of minimal amounts of water
xerophilic leaves
• xe·roph·i·ly zə̇ˈräfəlē noun -es