Nature terminology · Ecology & adaptation
sapr/o — Rotten or decaying
sapr/o means rotten or decaying. Ancient Greek source words and nature terminology examples: saprotroph.
Meaning and source words
Meaning: Rotten or decaying
- Ancient Greek: σαπρός (sapros)
Examples and word parts
saprotroph
An organism that obtains nutrients by breaking down dead organic material outside its cells and absorbing the products.
Word parts: sapr/o (decaying) + -troph (feeding organism)
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Related ecology & adaptation terms
- troph/o — Nourishment or feeding
trophic
- xer/o — Dry
xerophyte
- hal/o — Salt
halophyte
- phot/o — Light
phototropism
- chem/o — Chemical activity
chemosynthesis
- phag/o — Eating
phagocytosis
- -vore / -vorous — Eating or devouring
omnivore
Sources and usage
From the Word Radicals nature terminology collection. Source words and word parts are learning references; modern meanings can differ from their classical sources.