anthophilous
|an-tho-phil-ous|
/ˌænθəˈfɪləs/
flower-loving; attracted to flowers
Etymology
'anthophilous' originates from New Latin/modern scientific coinage, ultimately from Greek 'anthos' meaning 'flower' and 'philos' meaning 'loving'.
'anthophilous' was formed in scientific/technical English from Neo-Latin elements (compare Latinized 'anthophilus'), deriving from Greek 'anthos' + 'philos', and entered English usage in the 19th–20th century in biological contexts.
Initially it literally meant 'flower-loving' and this basic sense has been retained; it is used especially to describe organisms that visit or are attracted to flowers for nectar or pollen.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
having an affinity for or being attracted to flowers; visiting flowers (especially used of insects or animals that visit flowers for nectar or pollen).
Many bee species are anthophilous, visiting flowers to collect nectar and pollen and in the process pollinating plants.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/08/24 18:20