phytophagous
|phy-to-pha-gous|
🇺🇸
/ˌfaɪtəˈfæɡəs/
🇬🇧
/ˌfaɪtəˈfægəs/
plant-eating
Etymology
'phytophagous' originates from Modern Latin (ultimately from Greek), specifically the word 'phytophagos', where 'phyto-' meant 'plant' and '-phagous' (from Greek 'phagein') meant 'to eat'.
'phytophagous' entered scientific English formation in the 19th century from Modern Latin 'phytophagous', derived from Greek 'phytophagos'; related nouns like 'phytophage' and 'phytophagy' were formed in parallel.
Initially, it meant 'feeding on plants' and over time has retained that specific biological meaning in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a plant-eating organism; (by extension) an organism that exhibits phytophagy.
Phytophagous organisms, such as caterpillars, can cause extensive defoliation.
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Adjective 1
feeding on plants; plant-eating (used in biology to describe organisms that consume plant material).
Many beetle species are phytophagous, feeding on leaves and stems.
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Last updated: 2025/09/13 19:10