Trophism
/ˈtroʊ.fɪ.zəm/noun
The tendency of an organism, organ, or tissue to grow or respond in a particular way under specific conditions.
Did you know?Trophism comes from the Greek root for nourishment, the same root behind words tied to feeding, growth, and the life-force of living things—not magic, but definitely the language of becoming.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*trep-
“to turn, to rub, to feed on (reconstructed root with debated extensions)”
Ancient Greek
Greek
τροφή (trophḗ)
“nourishment, food, sustenance”
Ancient Greek
Greek
τροφικός (trophikós)
“pertaining to nourishment or feeding”
Late Latin / Scientific Latin
Latin
trophismus
“a condition or process relating to nourishment or growth”
19th Century
English
trophism
“the directional growth or response of an organism or part in relation to a stimulus”
Modern English
English
trophism
“a growth or feeding response, especially in biology”
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