— hydroponic , adj. — hydroponically , adv. — hydroponist /huy drop"euh nist/ , hydroponicist , n.
/huy'dreuh pon"iks/ , n. ( used with a sing. v. )
the cultivation of plants by placing the roots in liquid nutrient solutions rather than in soil; soilless growth of plants. Cf. aeroculture, geoponics (def. 2).
[ 1935-40; HYDRO- 1 + (GEO)PONICS ]