aphototactic
|a-pho-to-tac-tic|
🇺🇸
/ˌeɪfoʊtəˈtæk.tɪk/
🇬🇧
/ˌeɪfəʊtəˈtæk.tɪk/
no movement response to light
Etymology
'aphototactic' originates from Greek roots, specifically the prefix 'a-' (privative, meaning 'not'), 'phōs/phot-' meaning 'light', and 'taxis' meaning 'arrangement' or 'movement'.
'aphototactic' was formed in modern scientific/technical coinage (via New Latin/Modern Greek formation) from the Greek elements 'a-' + 'phot-' + 'tactic(us)', and entered English usage in scientific contexts to describe absence of phototaxis.
Initially coined to denote the absence of phototaxis in organisms or cells; this core meaning has been retained in modern scientific usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
not exhibiting phototaxis; not showing movement toward or away from light (no directed movement in response to light).
Some deep-sea bacteria are aphototactic, showing no directed movement in response to light.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/09/17 00:20