Saprotroph
/ˈsæp.rə.trɒf/noun
An organism that feeds on dead or decaying organic matter by absorbing dissolved nutrients.
Did you know?The word was built from Greek roots: *sapros* (“rotten”) plus *trophē* (“nourishment”), so its name literally means a feeder on decay.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Gk
saprós
“rotten, putrid”
Ancient Greek
Gk
trophḗ
“nourishment, feeding”
Late 19th Century
English
saprotroph
“a organism that obtains nourishment from decaying organic matter”
Modern English
English
saprotroph
“an organism that feeds on dead or decaying organic material”