autotropism
|au-to-tro-pism|
🇺🇸
/ˌɔːtəˈtroʊpɪzəm/
🇬🇧
/ˌɔːtəˈtrəʊpɪzəm/
turning/growth toward self (internal stimulus)
Etymology
'autotropism' originates from Greek, specifically the elements 'autos' meaning 'self' and 'tropē' meaning 'a turning', combined in modern scientific coinage as 'autotropism'.
'autotropism' was formed in New Latin/modern scientific usage from the Greek roots 'autos' + 'tropē' and entered English technical vocabulary in the late 19th to early 20th century as a term in biology and botany.
Initially it literally meant 'turning of or toward the self'; over time it has come to be used specifically for 'a tropic response driven by internal stimuli' in biological contexts.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
growth or movement of an organism or its parts in response to internal (self-originating) stimuli rather than external stimuli.
Autotropism was observed when the shoot curved due to internal hormonal gradients rather than an external light source.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/11/29 14:54