saprophyte noun. ['saprǝ(ʊ)fʌɪt] L19.
[from SAPRO- + -PHYTE.]
A vegetable organism that derives its nutriment from decaying organic matter.

■ saprophytic [-'fɪtɪk] adjective of, pertaining to, or of the nature of a saprophyte L19.

■ sapro'phytically adverb E20.

■ saprophytism noun the state of living as a saprophyte L19.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲