aphotaxis
|a-pho-tax-is|
🇺🇸
/ˌeɪfoʊˈtæksɪs/
🇬🇧
/ˌeɪfəˈtæksɪs/
no directed movement in response to light
Etymology
'aphotaxis' originates from modern scientific coinage built from Greek elements: specifically the prefix 'a-' meaning 'not' and the elements 'phōt-' (from 'phōs, phōt-' meaning 'light') and 'taxis' meaning 'arrangement' or 'ordered movement'.
'aphotaxis' was formed in New Latin/modern scientific English by combining Greek roots ('a-' + 'phōt-' + 'taxis') and entered biological usage to denote lack of a light-directed taxis response.
Initially coined to indicate 'not showing taxis toward light' and over time the term has retained this technical meaning in biological and ecological contexts.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the absence or lack of phototaxis; a condition in which an organism shows no directed movement in response to light.
In the laboratory trial, the larvae displayed aphotaxis, remaining evenly distributed rather than moving toward or away from the light source.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/09/16 23:52