Saprozoic
/ˌsæproʊˈzoʊɪk/noun
Relating to organisms that obtain nourishment from decaying organic matter.
Did you know?Saprozoic is a 19th-century scientific formation from Greek roots meaning “rotten” and “animal/life,” and it shares its decay-root with words like saprophage and saprophyte.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
saprós
“rotten, putrid”
Ancient Greek
Greek
zôion
“animal, living being”
19th Century
English
saprozoic
“feeding on decaying organic matter”
Modern English
English
saprozoic
“relating to organisms that derive nourishment from decaying matter”
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