facultative

facultative definition - medical

fac·ul·ta·tive (făkˈəl-tāˌtĭv)

adjective
  1. Capable of functioning under varying environmental conditions. Used of certain organisms, such as bacteria that can live with or without oxygen.
  2. Capable of occurring along various pathways or under various conditions.

The American Heritage® Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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