polytrophic

(päl′i träf′ik, -trōf′-)

adjective

obtaining nourishment from more than one kind of organic material, as many pathogenic bacteria

Origin: < Gr polytrophos, nutritious < poly-, many (see poly-) + trophos, feeder < trephein: see trophic

See polytrophic in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective

Subsisting on various types of organic material. Used of certain bacteria.

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