saprobe
|sap-robe|
🇺🇸
/ˈsæproʊb/
🇬🇧
/ˈsæprəʊb/
feeds on decay
Etymology
'saprobe' originates from New Latin, ultimately from Greek 'sapros' meaning 'rotten' and 'bios' meaning 'life'.
'saprobe' came into scientific English from New Latin/Neo-Latin formations such as 'saprobion' (Greek-based), and was adopted into English scientific usage in the 19th century as 'saprobe'.
Initially it referred specifically to an organism living on rotten matter ('rotten-life'); over time it has remained specialized and now denotes organisms (often fungi or bacteria) that obtain nutrients by decomposing dead organic material.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
an organism that obtains nutrients by decomposing dead or decaying organic matter; a saprotroph (decomposer).
Many fungi and bacteria function as saprobes, breaking down dead wood and leaf litter.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/10/23 08:59