saprophyte

saprophyte definition - medical

sap·ro·phyte (săpˈrə-fītˌ)

noun
An organism, especially a fungus or bacterium, that grows on and derives its nourishment from dead or decaying organic matter.

Related Forms:

  • sapˌro·phytˈic (-fĭtˈĭk) adjective

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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