Saprophage
/ˈsæprəfeɪdʒ/noun
An organism that feeds on decaying organic matter.
Did you know?Its root sapro- comes from Greek saprós, “rotten” or “putrefied,” the same ancient decay-root behind scientific words for decomposition and rot.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
saprós
“rotten, putrefied”
Late Greek / Scientific
Greek
-phágos
“eating, devouring”
19th Century
English
saprophage
“a creature that feeds on decaying matter”
Modern English
English
saprophage
“an organism that feeds on dead or decaying organic material”
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