heliotropism
|he-li-o-trop-ism|
🇺🇸
/ˌhiːliəˈtroʊpɪzəm/
🇬🇧
/ˌhiːliəˈtrəʊpɪzəm/
turn toward the sun
Etymology
'heliotropism' originates from Greek, specifically the words 'hēlios' and 'tropos', where 'hēlios' meant 'sun' and 'tropos' meant 'turn'. The English suffix '-ism' denotes a state or condition.
'heliotropism' was formed via Neo-Latin/Modern scientific coinage (compare Neo-Latin 'heliotropismus') and entered English usage as a scientific term describing sun-directed movement in plants.
Initially, it meant 'turning toward the sun' in a literal botanical sense, and over time it has retained that core meaning while also gaining occasional broader or figurative uses.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the directional growth or movement of a plant or part of a plant in response to the direction of the sun; turning toward sunlight (solar tracking).
Sunflowers show heliotropism during bud development, facing the sun throughout the day.
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Noun 2
(Broader/figurative) A tendency to orient or turn toward the source of light, warmth, or attention.
The artist's work showed a kind of heliotropism, always seeking bright, sunlit scenes.
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Last updated: 2025/10/16 04:50