autophytically
|au-to-phy-ti-cal-ly|
/ˌɔːtəˈfɪtɪkli/
(autophytic)
self-nourishing
Etymology
'autophytically' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'autophytos', where the prefix 'auto-' meant 'self' and the root 'phyton' (or 'phytos') meant 'plant'.
'autophytos' entered scientific usage via New Latin/Modern scientific coinages (e.g. 'autophyte') and then formed the adjective 'autophytic' and finally the adverb 'autophytically' in English.
Initially it referred to a 'self-feeding plant' or organism ('autophyte'); over time it broadened to describe processes or manners 'relating to self-nourishing' and is now used adjectivally/adverbially to mean 'in a self-nourishing way'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adverb 1
in a manner relating to or characteristic of autophytes; by self-nourishing (as by photosynthesis) or growing as an organism that produces its own food.
Under sufficient light, some algae can grow autophytically without added organic nutrients.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/11/27 16:27